Objective 7: To promote and protect the rights of women I. Summary of the CSAR 406. The CSAR notes that much progress has been made in recent years in terms of improving the situation of women in Mozambique. Despite having heavy family responsibilities, women are seen to be subordinate to men. This status is a product of the gender inequity that draws a social and cultural distinction between men and women. This situation puts women at a disadvantage in the country’s development process. In most communities, women do not benefit from training courses for the development of small business enterprises and no specific programmes have been developed by the government to support incomegenerating activities for women, which is a necessity given the high number of women experiencing extreme poverty. The girl-child is likewise regarded as particularly vulnerable and faces difficulties similar to those of women. 407. The Constitution recognises the equality of men and women and guarantees both groups full participation in all spheres of Mozambican society. A gender policy and an implementation strategy are in place. The MMAS has activities geared at promoting women’s role socially. At the provincial level, there are Provincial Councils for Women’s Advancement. Other entities established to promote the progress of women include the Cabinet of General Assembly Women; the Commission for Social, Gender and Environmental Affairs of the Assembly of the Republic; an Operative Group for the Progress of Women; and a Women’s Forum. 408. With regard to levels of decision making, women’s positions are becoming more prominent. In the current government that emerged from the 2004 elections, there are seven women ministers and five vice-ministers. Of the total of 250 deputies in the Assembly of the Republic after the 1999 elections, 80 were women, which is an increase of 6 per cent in relation to the previous legislature of 1994–99. Currently, of the 250 deputies, 31.2 per cent are women, which represents a further growth in their number and proportion of the total. Their presence in other decision-making bodies is as follows: CNE (2); provincial governors (2); Presidents of Municipal Councils (3); and a considerable number of members of municipal assemblies, councillors and district administrators. Women also occupy leadership positions in several other directorates in the government machinery. 409. Women’s movements campaign vigorously for access to education and literacy, which have recently been developed visibly. The Family Law provides a set of new guarantees and ensures several rights for women. Unfortunately, domestic violence persists and is aggravated by harmful traditional, religious and cultural beliefs that make it difficult to actualise all women’s rights. 144 A P R M COU N T RY R EV IEW R EP ORT NO. 11