267. Efforts are under way to reduce cases of violations of detainees' rights, in
detection centers or prisons, through disciplinary and criminal accountability, where
force and torture have been proven. National authorities also recognize that capacity
building and technical assistance, ongoing in the justice sector reforms, with the
support of UNDP (United Nations Development Program), is of great relevance.
XIII. Protection against Negative Social and Cultural Practices
268. Laws such as female genital mutilation and domestic violence, advocate that
the State of Guinea-Bissau, should apply legislative and administrative measures to
eliminate cultural practices that affect the full enjoyment of children's rights.
269. The Guinean government and its development partners, NGOs and civil society
organizations, have been carrying out awareness-raising, training and reflection
sessions with a view to reducing the practice of socio-cultural acts that harm
children's lives. Awareness campaigns on violence against children and early
marriages, are some ongoing actions that have drawn the attention of society in
general on this issue. One way is to sensitize parents to ensure children's right to
education, so that they can have autonomy and make choices about their lives and
break the cycle of poverty.
270. The Republic of Guinea-Bissau, recognizes the freedom to establish a family
under the Constitution and the law governing the requirements and effects of
marriage and cohabitation, as well as the dissolution thereof. This freedom does not
inhibit spouses from taking responsibility for their children, protecting their rights,
namely their integral and harmonious education, protection of their health, living
conditions and education, which are absolute priority of the family, State and society.
These assumptions are regulated by the Civil Code from Article 1576 and seq.
271. Recent MICS 2014 data, shows that 37% of girls marry before the age of 18.
272. However, the civil code admits that a child may exceptionally contract marriage
from the age of 16. In order to acquire this capacity, it must be emancipated under
the combined provisions of Article 2 of Law 5/76 of May 3, 1976, with Articles 132,
133 and 1601 (a) of the Civil Code of 1966.
273. Initiation rites, are considered as traditional practices intended to educate the
boy and the girl to become respected men and women in the community. Initiation
rites are aimed at children aged 10 to 13 and their content varies by province, but
generally emphasizes the subordination and respect for the elder ones and their
maturity to the adult stage.
274. For girls, the greatest message, is obedience to the husband and his family,
teaching personal and family hygiene practices. And sexually pleasing his husband.
After this ritual, the girl is ready to procreate and lead an adult life.
275. Civil society organizations in Guinea Bissau, have joined the global efforts to
combat child marriage by joining the Girls Not Brides Campaign, led by the Ministry
for Women, Family and Social Solidarity, in coordination with Office of the First Lady
of Guinea - Bissau, Plan International Guinea - Bissau and Specialized Agencies of
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