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Establishment of a network of NGOs active in the FGM area;
Approval of a draft Framework Act to combat gender-based violence.
Chapter 3: Rights relating to marriage (Articles 6-7)
The right to marriage is an inalienable, natural and basic right of every man and every
woman. Future spouses enter into marriage of their own free will. The complementary
relationship between men and women to enter into marriage and to freely choose their
spouse is enshrined in Article 1 of the Personal Status Code which defines marriage as
“a legal contract which joins a man and a woman in lasting matrimony. Its purpose is
fidelity and procreation through the founding, on a sound footing and under the
direction of the husband, a family that enables the spouses to meet their reciprocal
obligations with affection and mutual respect”.
The Personal Status Code sets the age of marriage at 18 years for both men and women
stipulating in its Article 6 that: “eligibility to enter into marriage is granted to all persons
of sound mind who have reached the age of 18”.
Guardianship « wilaya » is exercised in the woman’s interest. Adult women may not be
married without their own consent and without the presence of their guardian “weli”.
In the event of a groundless refusal by the guardian (weli) to authorize the marriage of the
woman or girl placed under his guardianship (wilaya), the judge orders him to do so, and if
he persists in refusing, the judge himself concludes the marriage.
The woman may demand that her husband not be permitted to marry another woman; that
he not be absent for longer than a specified time period; and that he not prohibit her from
attending school or working.
In 2014, the MASEF launched the two-year campaign against child marriage (African
campaign) throughout the country.
Chapter 4: Right to health and reproduction
Paragraph 1: Access to healthcare services (Article 14(2) (a))
Combatting maternal and new-born mortality is a key focus area of the public health policy.
The status of key health indicators is as follows:
- healthcare coverage is 79% in a 5-km radius;
- the mortality rate for children under the age of 5 is 114 for every 1,000 live births;
- the maternal mortality rate is 626 for 100,000 births;
- the contraceptive prevalence rate is 14%;
- the skilled birth attendance rate is 56%.
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