A/HRC/38/46 employment and the issue of unpaid care work remains a major challenge globally. Systemic discrimination continues to pose a barrier worldwide to women’s enjoyment of their right to work, including their lack of access to decent work and workplace entitlements, and the increasing recognition of sexual harassment in the workplace. With the nature of work changing rapidly, there are both opportunities and risks for women’s economic rights. 3. Ensuring the prioritization of sexual and reproductive health and rights in situations of crisis and insecurity 78. The Working Group will examine how women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights can be better protected in times of crisis. There is growing evidence that in times of crisis and insecurity — whether stemming from natural disasters, conflict or other emergencies — women’s and girl’s sexual and reproductive health and rights are particularly at risk and not adequately recognized, leading to a higher risk of unplanned pregnancy and death during childbirth. In such situations, child, early and forced marriage are known to increase and women are more vulnerable to sexual and other forms of violence and exploitation. The Working Group will examine the factors that put women’s sexual and reproductive health at risk in conflict and emergency settings and will attempt to set out the standards and good practices needed to protect women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights in a crisis-prone world. 4. Realizing the rights of girl children and adolescent girls 79. The Working Group will examine the situation of girl children, which has not yet been given the comprehensive attention it deserves. Girl children and adolescent girls face unique challenges from multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, which are often neglected. Families and communities perpetuate gender stereotypes that undervalue girls and deprive them of agency and opportunities. For example, families may not invest in girls’ education as they do for boys, and girls are often forced into early marriage. Early marriage and the instrumentalization of girls’ bodies often result in teenage pregnancy, with irremediable consequences for girls’ health and opportunities. The report will also be an opportunity to address the gaps in national and international policies and strategies to tackle the specific obstacles faced by girl children and adolescent girls. Uncovering the human rights violations faced by girls is key to understanding the life cycle of women’s inequality, while their empowerment is a sine qua non for just societies and achievement of gender equality. The Working Group will identify abuses and risks faced by girls during childhood and adolescence worldwide, and restate and progressively develop the standards in this area. 5. A rapidly shifting world: emerging issues and strategies for the realization of women’s rights 80. The Working Group will take stock of emerging issues in the global context and their impact on the realization of women’s and girls’ human rights. Specifically, the Working Group will look at broader economic, environmental and social trends such as the climate crisis, rapid environmental degradation, growing inequalities, technological disruption and demographic change, through the lens of women’s human rights. It will also examine emerging strategies for advancing women’s right to equality, such as the increasing use of technology to mobilize and connect women’s movements and the accountability of men and other actors for women’s rights. 81. Beyond this thematic approach, the Working Group intends to ensure continuity with regard to the methods of work and the vision of the previous members of the Working Group, including by strengthening cooperation and alliances with international and regional human rights bodies, working more closely with regional and grass-roots organizations and continuing its efforts to improve its outreach to all stakeholders. 17

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