THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA’S COMBINED REPORT ON THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN & PEOPLES’ RIGHTS & INITIAL REPORT ON THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA Chapter Four: Specific Duties………………………………………………………………………………… 142 Article 25: Duty to Promote Human Rights …………………………………………………….…..….142 Article 26: Duty to Guarantee Independence of Courts…………………………………………..…..147 PART B: Implementation of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa……………………………………………………………………….…….…..153 Applicability of the Protocol……………………………………………………………………………………….153 Background Information……………………………………………………………………………………….….154 The Constitution………………………………………………………………………………………….154 The Women’s Act 2010……………………………………………………………………………….…154 Other Domestic Legislations…………………………………………………………………………...154 Budgetary Resources of the National Machinery………………………………………………….…154 Specific Provisions of the Protocol…………………………………………………………………………...156 Theme One: Equality & Non-Discrimination……………………………………………………………….…157 Elimination of Discrimination………………………………………………………………………….....157 Access to Justice including legal Aid and Training of Law Enforcement Officials…………………157 Political Participation and Decision Making……………………………………………………….…...158 Access to Education………………………………………………………………………………….......165 Adult and Non Formal Education………………………………………………………………………..165 Theme Two: Protection of Women From Violence…………………………………………………………..168 Bodily Integrity and Dignity , Including Sexual Violence, Trafficking of Women and Media Scientific Experimentations………………………………………………………………..………………………………...168 Practices Harmful to Women, Including Female Genital Mutilation, Child Marriage………………170 13