CEDAW/C/GC/33 (g) Revise the rules on the burden of proof in order to ensure equality between the parties in all fields where power relationships deprive women of fair treatment of their cases by the judiciary; (h) Cooperate with civil society and community-based organizations to develop sustainable mechanisms to support women’s access to justice and encourage non-governmental organizations and civil society entities to take part in litigation relating to women’s rights; (i) Ensure that women human rights defenders are able to gain access to justice and receive protection from harassment, threats, retaliation and violence. 16. With regard to the availability of justice systems, the Committee recommends that States parties: (a) Ensure the creation, maintenance and development of courts, tribunals and other entities, as needed, that guarantee women’s right to access to justice without discrimination throughout the entire territory of the State party, including in remote, rural and isolated areas, giving consideration to the establishment of mobile courts, especially to serve women living in remote, rural and isolated areas, and to the creative use of modern information technology solutions, when feasible; (b) In cases of violence against women, ensure access to financial aid, crisis centres, shelters, hotlines and medical, psychosocial and counselling services; (c) Ensure that rules on standing allow groups and civil society organizations with an interest in a given case to lodge petitions and participate in the proceedings; (d) Establish an oversight mechanism by independent inspectors to ensure the proper functioning of the justice system and address any discrimination against women committed by justice system professionals. 17. With regard to accessibility recommends that States parties: of justice systems, the Committee (a) Remove economic barriers to justice by providing legal aid and ensure that fees for issuing and filing documents, as well as court costs, are reduced for women with low incomes and waived for women living in poverty; (b) Remove linguistic barriers by providing independent and professional translation and interpretation services, when needed, and provide individualized assistance for illiterate women in order to guarantee their full understanding of judicial and quasi-judicial processes; (c) Develop targeted outreach activities and distribute through, for example, specific units or desks dedicated to women, information about the justice mechanisms, procedures and remedies that are available, in various formats and also in community languages. Such activities and information should be appropriate for all ethnic and minority groups in the population and designed in close cooperation with women from those groups and, especially, from women’s and other relevant organizations; (d) Ensure access to the Internet and other information and communications technology (ICT) to improve women’s access to justice systems 15-13094 7/25

Select target paragraph3