31. The Committee is concerned about the lack of a legal framework for de facto unions and the resulting precarious situation in which women in such unions may find themselves when their relationship breaks down and there is a need for a division of property and assets without the benefit of adequate prior contractual agreement. The Committee is also concerned about the new amendments to the rules relating to recognition of paternity, under which cohabiting fathers no longer need the approval of the mother to recognize the paternity of her child.

32. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that women are guaranteed equal rights with men to property and assets accumulated during de facto unions when their relationship breaks down. It also recommends that the State party carefully monitor the impact of the new amendments to the rules relating to recognition of paternity for cohabiting fathers and to include information thereon in its next periodic report.

Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CEDAW-Norway-2007-eng