A/HRC/45/8/Add.1 II. Background 8. Togo, a low-income country with an estimated population of 7.8 million, as of 2018,1 ranks second among the top 10 reforming countries in Africa over the past decade.2 During that period, Togo experienced a steady annual growth rate of 5 per cent and reduced poverty by 8 per cent. Despite this progress, poverty remains widespread, and broadly speaking it increases incrementally as one moves northwards, away from the wealthier coastal Maritime region, to the Plateaux and Kara regions, then to Centrale, and finally to the driest region, Savanes. Just over three quarters (77 per cent) of poor people live in rural areas, which have a higher incidence of poverty (68.7 per cent) than does Lomé (34.8 per cent). According to the World Bank’s worldwide governance indicators, Togo has continued to rate poorly in areas related to the control of corruption, the rule of law3 and access to justice.4 9. The participation of women and youth in decision-making remains limited. Furthermore, women and girls continue to experience inequality and discrimination 5 in economic, legal, social and political aspects of their lives. Many women and girls are also subjected to sexual and gender-based violence. 6 Child marriage remains a worrying problem, disproportionately affecting girls despite the efforts of the Government and of traditional and religious leaders. 10. The main drivers of economic growth in Togo include agricultural production, which accounts for approximately half of the country’s gross domestic product and over 60 per cent of employment. Extractive industries and manufacturing are among other major sectors driving the country’s economy. As is highlighted in the National Development Plan 2018–2022,7 the Government has been investing in the expansion of these economic sectors to address poverty through the promotion of economic growth and the creation of jobs. 11. The Special Rapporteur was informed that children were routinely engaged in worst forms of child labour in various sectors of the economy. Furthermore, child labour in the domestic work sector appears to be a widespread phenomenon in Togo. It is deeply rooted in social and cultural patterns, and is facilitated by the legacy of poverty and inequality. III. Legal framework International legal framework 12. Togo has signed or ratified many of the international human rights instruments that address contemporary forms of slavery. Although it is not a signatory to the Slavery Convention of 1926, Togo ratified the 1956 Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery, on 8 July 1980. It has also ratified a number of relevant human rights instruments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 See https://data.worldbank.org/country/togo?view=chart. DP/DCP/TGO/3, para. 1. See https://databank.worldbank.org/reports.aspx?source=worldwide-governance-indicators#. DP/DCP/TGO/3, para. 5. See Gender Inequality Index, available at http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/gender-inequality-index. DP/FPA/CPD/TGO/7, para. 6. See http://togoembassylondon.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Pr%C3%A9sentation-du-PND-duTogo-2018-2022-Anglais.pdf. 3