Assembly for the second reading, the consideration of the draft law on the abolition of the death penalty is still being expected. 405. Without any prejudice to what will be the outcome of the consideration by the National Assembly regarding these two texts, it must be pointed out that their adoption by Mali is a recommendation that has consistently been renewed by international human rights bodies. - Concerning the specific rights of women, children and other vulnerable persons: 406. Concerning the situation of women and children, it must be noted that the persistence of some practices deemed to be harmful is due to, at least, a lack of political will rather than the pressure of traditions. To address the situation, the government has decided to prioritise education and awareness raising rather than to adopt a law the implementation of which could prove to be ineffective where the population is not brought on board 407. Thus, within the framework of the fight against female circumcision, domestic violence and child labour, the Government has adopted a National Programme against Violence perpetrated against women and girls and a national programme against child labour. The implementation of these programmes is on-going and it is yielding encouraging results. 408. In any case, the promotion of women, children and other vulnerable persons is one of the main components of the national policy for the promotion and protection of human rights in Mali. That is the reason why a Ministry was specifically created for women, children and family affairs and a Ministry for social development, solidarity and older persons. 409. The objective is to ensure that the gender dimension is properly taken into account in the development and improved protection of vulnerable persons. 410. Moreover, the process of integration of the gender dimension within State institutions has culminated in the adoption of incentive schemes to encourage the presentation of female candidates in the various elections. This should eventually promote the participation of women in public and political life. - Concerning economic and political life: 411. On economic, social and cultural rights, the government has since 2002 adopted a Strategic Framework to Combat Poverty (CSLP) as a reference framework for all development policies in order to ensure improved consistency in development policies and programmes. The second generation of this framework dubbed Strategic Growth and Poverty Reduction Framework (CSCRP), which covers the period 2007-2011, is being implemented. 79

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