At the economic level, progress was made in the areas of micro-finance and capacitybuilding of women’s social and professional organizations. The gender approach has been integrated into the following documents:  Regional programmes poverty reduction (PRLP);  National population policy;  National strategy on social protection;  National strategy on food security;  National strategy for the promotion of women;  National action plan for women in rural areas;  National strategy on gender mainstreaming (SNIG);  National strategy to eliminate FGM;  National strategy on micro-finance and small businesses. 2. Public education Several activities were conducted to raise awareness on the contents of ratified African instruments including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Maputo Protocol. 3. Media participation Debates and discussions on the content of the Protocol are broadcast by public and private media. 4. Implementation of the Protocol The Maputo Protocol is directly applicable by domestic courts. The provisions of the Protocol may also be invoked before the courts. III-Specific provisions of the Protocol The following progress was made in the implementation of the Protocol. 1. Legislative measures  Approval of a draft Framework Act to protect women against violence. This draft legislation defines and criminalizes rape;  Pronouncement of Fatwas (Muslim juris consult opinion) of a national and subregional scope encouraging the abandoning of FGM practices;  Development of a national plan of action to end GBV in Mauritania (2014-2018);  Equal treatment under the pension’s scheme;  Harmonization of the retirement age;  Personal Status Code (CSP). 51