FINAL
33. Notes that Article 10(2) of Proclamation No. 86/1996 stipulates that 30% of the seats in
the National Assemblies are reserved for women;
34. Welcomes the Eritrean Obstetric Fistula Repair Project, launched in 2002, to address
and combat obstetric fistula;
Protection of the rights of children
35. Takes note of the National Policy on Children, in addition to the Working Group led
by the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, which oversees implementation of the
Convention of the Rights of the Child and the African Charter for the Rights and
Welfare of the Child;
36. Notes that Article 607 of the Transitional Civil Code stipulates that the legal age of
marriage is 18 years old, and that underage marriage is an offence and a ground for
dissolution of the marriage;
37. Welcomes the criminalization of female genital mutilation (FGM) under Proclamation
148/2007, in addition to the establishment of 548 anti-FGM Committees nationwide;
38. Welcomes the reduction of FGM, noting that the practice which affected 89% of girls
under the age of 5 in 1995, dropped to 5% by 2016;
Protection of the rights of persons with disabilities
39. Takes note of the National Policy on Persons with Disabilities, which ensures the
implementation of equal rights and opportunities, which regulates the roles and
responsibilities of all actors in advancing the rights and welfare of persons with
disabilities,
40. Commends the loan scheme by the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare which
assists persons with disabilities start income-generating activities for gainful
employment;
41. Appreciates the efforts to provide transportation for students with disabilities to attend
school, such as the ‘Donkey for School’ project;
42. Commends provision of full medical care to 7,000 war-disabled persons with severe
disabilities including their families.
Protection of the Environment
43. Commends the ban on the use of plastic bags, through Legal Notice 63/2002, and the
provision of local alternatives as a means to end plastic pollution;
44. Welcomes the conduction of environmental impact assessments prior to the
commencement of any extractive activity.
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