Rural women

42. The Committee remains concerned that rural women, including indigenous women and women from ethnic and religious minority groups, continue to be disproportionately affected by poverty and limited economic opportunities, which increase their vulnerability to trafficking and exploitation. It also expresses concern that rural women:

• (c) Face restrictions to their right to land and natural resources, owing to land acquisition for development projects, use by the mining and other extractive industries and the zoning of national parks

43. With reference to its general recommendation No. 34 (2016) on the rights of rural women, the Committee recommends that the State party:

• (c) Ensure effective consultations with women from affected communities with regard to the zoning of national parks and the economic exploitation of lands and territories traditionally occupied or used by them and that it secures the free, prior and informed consent of the women affected and provide adequate compensation as necessary;