61. The proportion of women in Mozambique’s Parliament is one of the highest not only in southern Africa, but in the world at large. This is in line with the government’s pledge to have 30% of women in policy decision-making bodies by 2005, in terms of the SADC Declaration on Gender (1997). In June 2010, the Government of Mozambique ratified the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development, which calls for gender parity. 62. At government level, it should be pointed out that during the period under appraisal, the prime minister’s portfolio was once held by a woman. Currently, 8 out of 29 cabinet ministers, five out of 26 deputy ministers, 6 out of 25 permanent secretaries, and 3 out of 11 provincial governors are all women. At professional level, 29% of magistrates, 34% of judges, 30% of advocates, 51.3% of medical doctors, and 37% of teachers are women. 63. Although there has been a larger representation of women in decision-making bodies in general, female representation at local level decision-making bodies remains low. 64. The progress made towards gender equality is self-evident. Yet, this effort is still faced with a number of challenges:      Strengthening measures aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination based on sex, by promoting gender equality; Ensuring the establishment and operation of Gender Units within government institutions; Encouraging a greater participation of women in politics and access to influential positions in society; Pursuing the dissemination and establishment of legal instruments on gender, including International Law standards; Promoting women’s access and training in areas traditionally designated for men. 65. In Mozambique, most of the government’s mechanisms geared towards human development are guided by the principles of universality, equality and legality, among others. For instance, the government’s five-year plans, which fit into this reporting period, state as a priority the political will to coordinate, ensure and encourage a gender-based approach to defining, planning and implementing sectoral development programs, and endeavoring to put into practice gender issues undertaken by the government. Similarly, PARP includes short- and medium-term government guidelines. Article 7: Principle of Access to Justice 66. In terms of the Charter, this principle covers the right to appeal to courts, the guarantee of presumption of innocence while awaiting trial by a competent tribunal, the right of a person charged with an offense to be defended by counsel of his/her choice or by an ex officio counsel appointed free of charge in the event of Combined Report from the Republic of Mozambique to the ACHPR, 1999-2010 16