Women and Children’s Rights 33. The Commission is concerned about: i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. ix. x. The latest Demographic Health Survey (DHS) carried out in 2013 which has shown that maternal mortality ratio has increased from 225 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1992 to 449 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2006/2007; Low representation of women in Parliament and in other decision making positions contrary to the 50/50 mark recommended under the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development; On-going traditional harmful cultural practice of child marriage, in some communities and lack of consistency in the legal definition of a child thereby subjecting some children to the risk of being married early contrary to the provisions of the Maputo Protocol ; Lack of specific information on prosecution of cases of sexual harassment in places of employment and educational institutions; Lack of sufficient information on the measures put in place to combat trafficking of children particularly of unaccompanied minors; Lack of information on the measures in place to protect the rights of children in conflict with the law; Challenges particularly rural women, in accessing justice due to poverty and the physical distance of courts, as most courts are located within the towns; Delay in the enactment of draft bills in particular the Customary Law Marriage Bill, Divorce Bill and the Child Justice Bill; Forced sterilisation of Women with HIV; Traditional healers claim to cure HIV/AIDS resulting in deaths. Right to Freedom of Expression and Access to Information 34. The Commission is concerned about the: i. Existence of criminal defamation law in Namibia’s statute books despite the fact that it has not been used in practice to prosecute/intimidate journalists; ii. Lack of an Access to Information Law; iii. Proposed Bill on public gathering which has the potential to infringe on the right to access to information and the right to assembly and association. Right to Freedom of Assembly and Association 35. The Commission is concerned about lack of sufficient information in the Report concerning the protection of human rights defenders. 12