The decision to prohibit a Russian woman from working at the helm of a boat has been criticized by a UN human rights body.

Svetlana Medvedeva, a trained navigation officer, had been hired by a private company but was later turned down because her employment would contravene legislation on jobs that are off-limits to women.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is calling on the Russian government to amend regulations banning women from professions deemed harmful to their reproductive health.

Dianne Penn has been speaking to CEDAW member Nicklas Bruun who says the list covers more than 450 professions.

Duration: 4’41”