initiative that encourages women’s self-development by carrying out research in specific areas of concern to women. The CRM was, however, unable to establish how these initiatives have been effective in addressing the human rights of women, especially for those at grassroots level. 232 Government established a National Commission for Children’s and Women’s Affairs in 2005. A Commissioner was named for the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and an Ombudsperson for Women and Children in the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate alleged human rights violations against women and children. Government also upgraded the Women’s Affairs Office to a Ministry, an independent office with increased staff. “Affirmative action and Girls Scholarship programme are being used to increase the enrolment of female students in educational institutions at different levels”19.  Girls’ enrolment, especially into higher Institutions of learning, is encouraged by government. The stakeholders told the CRM that government was still committed to addressing women’s rights abuses through human rights awareness campaigns, but lacked the capacity to carry out these campaigns. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Women’s Bureaus (departments) at the regional levels are doing their best to educate women about rights and abuses. 233 While interacting with the stakeholders, the CRM was told that Harmful Traditional Practices (HTP) such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are still a challenge to Ethiopia. However, a National Committee on Harmful Traditional Practices had been established to alleviate these practices. 234 The Constitution provides for equal rights to women and men yet the CRM heard that women still face human rights abuses such as discrimination, early marriage, rape, domestic violence that are seemingly entrenched in Ethiopian society. Women have limited authority on family and land matters, especially among pastoralists. Traditional discriminatory practices remain deep-rooted, for example, the 80 percent of girls and women subjected to Female Genital Mutilation and the inheritance of a widow with all her property. There are also strong stereotypical attitudes towards the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and society. They prevent women from the full enjoyment of their human rights. III. Recommendations 235 19 The APR Panel recommends that the Ethiopian Government: Press Release WOM/1431, Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women 645th and 646th Meetings, 26/01/2004, available on http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/wom1431.doc.htm - 109 -