442. The public authorities, conscious of the importance of the family unit in society, have for the first time since independence, instituted the position of a Minister Delegate in charge of Family and Women’s Affairs. 443. Civil society shows concern for family and women’s issues in general and for the rights of children, an area where several national associations have been actively involved. The protection of women and children and assistance to parents are the key pillars of family policy in Algeria. Protection of women: 444. Algerian women have achieved significant feats since independence, particularly in areas such as the economy, knowledge, medicine, education and justice. The proof is that they have become an unavoidable part of the political landscape and popular representation and their protection is ensured based on: - National Constitution: The Constitution subjects the woman to obligations arising from citizenship without any discrimination whatsoever. It protects her rights and subjects her to the same obligations; - International instruments: 445. Algeria has ratified a number of international instruments concerning women, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and the United Nations Convention on the Political Rights of Women; - National laws and regulations: 446. The legal and regulatory provisions concerning women are also many and are enshrined in the family and nationality codes…etc. Furthermore, Algeria grants parity to women just in the same way as men in the area of remuneration; equal work for equal pay. Child Protection: 447. The child enjoys a large amount of protection in the Algerian judicial system as a subject of law and as an actor in the judicial process, as an author or victim of the breach of the Criminal Code. The child is a subject of law: - National Constitution: 448. The Constitution provides that “the Statute shall uphold the rights of parents with regard to the education and protection of their children…” (Article 65). 449. The Constitution sets forth the principle of the protection of the family and childhood, with the understanding that the exercise of the liberties of every person shall be exercised with due regard for the rights conferred on others, in particular, of the right to honour, to the intimacy and the protection of the family, of youth and childhood (Article 63). In case the parents fail to do so, the protection of the children shall fall on the judge of minors. 450. Once the child is born alive and viable, he/she becomes a subject of full rights with a special protection until he/she attains the age of criminal responsibility first, then civil responsibility later. 73