272.Through the Ministry of Justice, the government has been training the judiciary,
local administration and civil society organizations in overseeing the
implementation of legislation related to women’s rights. This exercise has been
conducted by the Legal and Judicial Training Centre (CFJJ) and includes the
design of paralegal training packages.
273.The CFJJ has undertaken research into women’s rights, access to land and water,
and land disputes with a view to assisting in the training and preparation of draft
amendment bills. Another important initiative undertaken by organizations such
as the Woman Forum in partnership with the CFJJ has been the mapping of legal
assistance services for women, including instructions on how to access such
services.
274.Despite the progress that has been made with the adoption of new laws, a number
of instruments like the Family Law and the Law on Domestic Violence Against
Women are yet to be regulated so as to ensure their effective implementation.
Moreover, there are still laws in force in the country, which include
discriminatory provisions like the Succession and Inheritance Law. The
reviewing process has been under way since 2002. Meanwhile, widows remain
vulnerable to expropriation after the death of their husbands.
275.In addition to the legal reviewing process and capacity-building within the
judiciary, the government has renewed efforts with a view to guaranteeing access
to justice by citizens through the provision of legal assistance services.
Partnerships have been established with civil society organizations, the aim being
to provide legal assistance to women so that they may effectively exercise their
rights in key areas, including access to and control over land and natural
resources, sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence.
The Legal and Judicial Aid Institute (IPAJ) plays a key role in providing legal
assistance to the needy.
276.It is obvious that institutional and legislative developments have resulted in
significant gains in the struggle against discrimination. Yet, there remains
challenges ahead:
b)
Construction of Interest Pilot Centres for training of women.
Establishment of emergency shelters (refuge centres) for women and children
who are victims of violence.
Review of instruments designed to collect data on victims of violence who are
assisted at health units.
Contributing to improved assistance to every victim of gender-based violence,
while adopting measures to curb domestic violence.
Children’s Rights
277.Mozambique has an estimated population of 20 million people, of whom 9
million are between 0-18 years. This means that children represent about half of
the country’s population. That is to say that about half of the country’s
Combined Report from the Republic of Mozambique to the ACHPR, 1999-2010
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