A/HRC/14/33 families; and the desirability of social security agreements between countries of origin and of employment. 16. On 1 May 2009, the Committee organized, on the International Labour Day, a round table on the right to freedom of association for migrant workers, in cooperation with the ILO and trade union organizations. In October 2009, the Committee held a day of general discussion on migrant domestic workers, with the participation of human rights experts, representatives of States, United Nations agencies, and international and civil society organizations. The Day aimed at providing input to the debate at the ninety-ninth session of the International Labour Conference in 2010, which will discuss “Decent work for domestic workers” and consider the adoption of a new ILO instrument on domestic workers by 2011. More generally, the Committee intended to promote greater awareness of the particular situation and rights of migrant domestic workers. E. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women 17. During its forty-third session, in January 2009, the Committee adopted a statement on the international financial crisis stressing that gender perspectives should be taken into account in relation to the impacts of the crisis on both a long- and short-term basis, including in relation to education, health, security and livelihoods. The Committee underscored the importance of recognizing the unique contribution that women can make in the timely resolution of the crisis and called upon States parties to include women in the dialogue and decision-making processes around these issues. The Committee also adopted a statement calling on all States parties to support international efforts to alleviate the humanitarian and economic situation in Gaza and to facilitate the provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance including food and medical treatment, especially to women and children. 18. At its forty-fifth session, in July 2009, the Committee adopted a statement on gender and climate change which recalled that safety nets and insurance for social protection are essential to national adaptation plans as part of poverty reduction strategies, but that many women do not have access to health-care facilities and social security. While all women have the right to an adequate standard of living, housing and communications as well as to shelter during crisis situations due to natural disasters, the Committee regretted that women often face discrimination in this regard. Sex-disaggregated data, gender-sensitive policies and programme guidelines to aid Governments are necessary to protect women’s rights to personal security and sustainable livelihoods. F. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 19. In 2009, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination concluded its thematic discussion on the special measures to promote disadvantaged racial or ethnic groups in fields such as education, employment and housing under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. As a result, in August 2009, the Committee adopted general recommendation No. 32, which includes a detailed list of such measures. G. Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture 20. In the context of its mandate to visit all places of detention and to provide assistance to States parties to prevent torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) undertook in 2009 three GE.10-12597 5