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Creation of the Food security agency of Djibouti (SDSA) and the National food security fund (FNSA)
in 2009 to develop agricultural land and produce;
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Promotion of market gardening and production of fodder for livestock around boreholes and reservoirs
in the country.
B. Women’s rights
216. The principle of gender equality in all its forms is enshrined in the Constitution. The first article of the
Constitution of Djibouti guarantees equality of all before the law regardless of language, origin, race, sex
or religion and this is further confirmed by Article 10 which stipulates that all human beings are equal
before the law.
217. Djibouti also ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women (CEDAW) in December 1998 but only submitted its initial report in 2011.
218. Several pieces of legislation provide the legal framework for the respect, protection, promotion and
realization of women’s rights and confirm Djibouti’s commitment to eliminate all forms of
discrimination against women, especially violence.
219. The Criminal Code (Article 390) defines discrimination as set out in the CEDAW and makes it a
criminal offence that is severely punished (Article 391).
220. Gender-based violence and particularly female genital mutilation (FGM) is also punished pursuant to
Article 333 of the Criminal Code which states that these actions are punishable by a five-year
imprisonment term and a fine of One million DF. This provision has, to date, never been applied due
to the cultural and psychological barriers that young girls may face with regard to lodging a complaint
against their parents. Awareness-raising and education programmes are constantly being organized to
tackle this delicate issue.
221. Djibouti is firmly committed to protecting women and children from human trafficking and has
ratified most related international instruments. Criminal laws (articles 394 to 400) punish procuring and
related offences.
222. Act No. 210/AN/07/5th L on combatting human trafficking adopted in 2007 compels the State to
implement an active policy to prevent human trafficking and to take the necessary legislative and other
measures to help victims restore their physical, psychological and social balance.
223. The 2002 Family Code, in bringing together rights governing personal status (modern law, customary
law, Muslim law) and in organizing family life (marriage, filiation, divorce, maintenance obligation…)
through the establishment of precise procedures, further guarantees the fundamental rights of women
and children. Their interests are better protected by this new Code.
224. Djibouti guarantees women and men equal rights with regard to the acquisition, change or retention of
nationality and its transmission to their children. Act N° 200 of October 1981 on the Nationality Code,
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