305. This policy which is founded on equality between men and women has as vision “a democratic society which guarantees the development of all women and men through the full exercise of their fundamental equal rights, active and participatory citizenship and equitable access to resources in order to make Mali a strong emerging growth country that is proud of its values of justice, peace, solidarity and social cohesion” The Rights of Children 306. The promotion and protection of the rights of the child has been and remains one of the major concerns of the Malian Government; this fact is demonstrated by the various actions taken in this regard. Among these actions, one may cite the adoption of several legislative and regulatory texts at the national level including its subscription to a multiplicity of international texts. 307. Concerning ratified international conventions, one may cite, among others, the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child and its two Optional Protocols, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in International Adoption. The various bilateral and multilateral conventions on the fight against child trafficking are also included. 308. At the national level, specific provisions targeted at children can be found in the Criminal Code, the Labour Code, the code for the protection of children and various legislative and regulatory texts. 309. The Criminal Code of Mali broadly protects the child from sexual exploitation (Article 229) and from begging (Article 183). The texts protect girls from incitement to debauchery (Art.229), to pimping (Art. 228), paedophilia (Art. 228), indecent assault (Art. 225), rape (Art. 226 and 227) and abduction (Art.241). Heavy prison sentences are provided for against the perpetrators and the penalties involved are increased when the victim is a minor. Article 244 was specifically incorporated into the 2000 Criminal Code to define, criminalise and punish child trafficking. 310. Concerning the Child Protection Code, it repeats the numerous provisions protecting child rights contained in the marriage and guardianship codes, parenthood, nationality and particularly, the Act concerning criminal responsibility of minors and institution of courts for minors. It also lists the rights and duties of minors. 311. The Child Protection Code in particular deals with the general principles and the fundamental responsibilities of the child, the principle of equal rights for all children, and protection of children in danger and a child who contravenes the law. 63