98. In 1998, at the same time as the Ministry evolved, the National Women’s Council was
established in order to address the implementation of actions of the Beijing Programme
adopted at the 4th World Women’s Conference. The Council is an advisory body to government,
comprising delegates from the technical ministries dealing with issues of women and young
girls, NGOs and Associations working for the promotion of women and delegates sent as
observers to organizations of the United Nations system. In every province, the National
Council for Women is represented by a Provincial Council chaired by the Provincial Governor
and assisted by the Head of the Provincial Division for Gender Affairs.
The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
99. The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights is also a Ministry which is tasked with promoting the
MAPUTO Protocol and with contributing to the implementation of the national plan in view of
the fact that the rights of women form an integral part of human rights.
Provincial Governments and Provincial Synergies
100. Under the provincial governments, ministries of human rights, justice and women’s affairs
exist under different designations. These ministries have the responsibility of ensuring the
implementation of the MAPUTO Protocol. Indeed, the promotion and protection of human rights
and fundamental freedoms fall within the jurisdiction of the central and provincial authorities.
101. The provincial synergies in the fight against impunity resulting from sexual violence are
structures consisting of different stakeholders involved in the fight (government provincial
delegates, the provincial Assemblies, the Bar, judges, NGOs, medical officers, etc.)
The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH)
102. Established pursuant to Article 222, paragraph 3 of the Constitution by Ordinance Law No.
0011/2013 of 21 March 2013, the CNDH is an advisory body with legal status, independent
from other institutions, tasked with promoting and protecting human rights and it assists the
government through its advisory opinions , proposals and considerations on human rights,
international humanitarian law, humanitarian action and the respect for the fundamental
guarantees for exercising public freedoms and for all issues of general import falling within its
area of competence. This institution is also tasked with promoting and protecting the rights
of women in the sub-committee on “Specific Rights of Women”
Specialized Structures of the Ministry of Women, Family and Children’s Affairs
103. The other implementing institutions of the MAPUTO Protocol are specialized structures
which operate within the Ministry of Women, Family and Children’s Affairs. They include the
following:
The Study and Planning Unit for the Protection of Women, the Family and Protection
of Children, “CEPFE” established in 2007.
The National Agency for Combating Violence against Women, Young Peple and the
Girl Child “AVIFEM”, which was established in 2009.
The National Fund for the Promotion of Women and Protection of
Children,“FONAFEN” which was established in 2009.
The Regional Research and Documentation Centre on Women, Gender and Peace
Building in the Great Lakes region. “CERED-GL” which was established in 2008.
The National Documentation and Family Information Centre, associated with
CERED-GL, with the acronym CENADIF/CNACR” which was established in 2008.
Other Relevant Technical Structures of Government and Parliament for the
Implementation of the MAPUTO Protocol
The Interministerial Technical Committee for the Preparation and Monitoring of
Initial and Periodic Human Rights Reports
104. An Interministerial Technical Committee for the preparation and monitoring of initial and
periodic human rights reports was established by Order of the Ministry of Human Rights on 13
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