38 The protection of women and children against violence and insecurity, exploitation and moral, intellectual and physical abandonment is an obligation for the State and for the other local authorities. … An so, in the area of legislation, the Republic of Central Africa has a Law n°97.013 of the 11th November 1997 establishing the Family Code which devotes wideranging provisions to the protection of the Family and to children. IV.3/ The implementation of the Rights of Vulnerable Groups The Central African Republic re-affirms the protection of Vulnerable Groups in the preamble of the Constitution of the 27th December 2004 in the following terms: « …. Determined to construct a State founded on pluralist democracy guaranteeing the security of individuals and their property, the protection of the weakest, notably vulnerable persons, minorities and the full exercise of the fundamental rights and liberties ». Several laws had been voted by the National Assembly to legalise the protection of these groups of individuals. The 27th December 2004 Constitution makes special mention in its Articles 6 and 7 of the protection of the rights of women and children. 1/- The rights of women and children constitute two concepts with a common vision whose principles have served to protect their rights. The CAR pays particular attention to these two most vulnerable groups. In this regard, the Government has set up a Ministry responsible for managing the affairs of these two groups whilst taking care of physically handicapped persons, namely the Ministry of the Family, Social Affairs and National Solidarity. The activities of this Ministry are supported by the United Nations Global Fund for Women’s Development (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The other aspect of the attention accorded to Women is the existence of Thematic NGOs on Women’s Rights, the organisation of a series of seminars and workshops by the Government in collaboration with its development partners for the purpose of raising women’s awareness and providing her with the necessary tools to improve her living conditions in all areas. Since the advent of the ideal relating to Women’s emancipation, the BEÏJING conference and BEÏJING + 5 as well as the promotion of the concept of gender are current news. The representation of women in Government and in all the constituted Departments of the State also constitutes elements of recognition of the rights of women in the CAR. Pertaining to the issue of the youth in particular, the Ministry of Youth and Sports takes care of youth matters and works in collaboration with UNICEF for the improvement of this group.

Select target paragraph3