Fiji, Feb. 18 -- The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has warned that a deepening United Nations financial and liquidity crisis is undermining global protections for women and girls.

In a statement, the Committee said: "Women's and girls' rights are human rights - this has and always will be non-negotiable."

The Committee, which monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), said the unprecedented financial crisis runs counter to legally binding obligations undertaken by 189 States parties to guarantee equal rights to women and girls.

It expressed grave concern that the crisis, caused by Member States failing to pay assessed contribu...