of leadership and public life, overall progress has been achieved in this respect in the short span of time since independence. There are various constraints that impinge on the issue and much more needs to be done in the future in particular at regional and national level. Economic Empowerment 303. The national codes, National Charter, Macro Policy, 1997 Constitution, all Proclamations and sector policies bear institutional and legal provisions on the equality and empowerment of women. The specific legislative and other standard-setting practices have thus provided the conditions for implementation on the provisions of women‟s‟ rights and equality. The majority of Eritrean women are, however, employed in agriculture and the land issue is at the heart of the ideals of social justice. The Land Proclamation No.58/1994 entitled women to own or inherit land and significant measures are taken at all levels. This has been monitored by the Ministry of Land, Water and Environment in collaboration with regional administrations. NUEW has also trained women legal officers to promote advocacy and ensure the effective implementation of the Land Proclamation. Women are also members of the local and regional land distribution committees. Significant progress has been achieved so far. The 2009-2012 data reflects that 67.8 % of the land at the household level is owned by both men and women, and the remaining 32.2 % by women-headed families. This included 33.5% for housing, 16.6% for agriculture and 28.6% for commercial activities. 304. In general, the steady and purposeful improvement in the economic status of women is one of the main objectives of the Government. Targeted measures have been taken to empower women. The Saving and Micro Credit Program (SMCP) administered at national level provided micro-credit support to 42,098 women clients through its 609 village banks in 2015. This is about 50.9% increase compared to 2008. The total loan disbursement was about ERN 360 million (equivalent USD 24 million) of which agricultural loan holds 71.2%. 305. On the other hand, the NUEW supported women through micro credit loans amounting to 13% of the total investment made for women‟s economic empowerment. In the period of 2003 – 2016, 11,749 women in four regions benefited from the scheme at an investment of ERN 46,926,544.19. About 6,006 were also given grants in the same regions amounting to ERN 5,818,535.75. In general, the focus is poverty elimination and raising the income level of female headed families. The beneficiaries work in income generating activities such as mini-shops, household poultry farming, fattening goats and sheep and vegetable gardening. Women‟s Horticulture Cooperatives are also emerging. In 2015, 952 women beneficiaries in 28 sub regions (in five regions of the six regions) were supported with 81 water pumps and developed irrigated farming in 170.3 hectare of land. In general, women amount to 52.06% of the total beneficiaries in 2015 (51.9% in 2014). 306. Equal right in employment is enforced in accordance to the Labor Proclamation No 118/2001. Discrimination of remuneration and benefits on the basis of sex is also avoided. Moreover, pregnancy and maternity protection and retaining of post after delivery have been Page 77 of 100