- The Ministry of Human Rights and the Promotion of Civic Education 9. The Ministry of Human Rights and Civic Education was established by Decree No.1222012/PRES/PM of 23 February, 2012 on the composition of the government. Prior to this, the ministerial reshuffle of April, 2011 had merged it with the Department of Justice. The institutional advancement coupled with the integration of the promotion segment of civic education shows the desire of the government to promote responsible citizenship through the culture of values and the respect of human rights. The operationalization of the regional human rights and civic education directorates (DRDHPCs), which increased from 4 in 2010 to 11 in 2014, as well as the setting up of counselling and human rights documentation centres within these DRDHPCs and in Ouagadougou, enable the people to obtain human rights services locally. 10. With the formation of the transitional government in November, 2014, the Ministry of Human Rights and Promotion of Civic Education was merged with the Ministry of Justice to establish the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and the Promotion of Civic Education. However, the terms of reference of the former ministry responsible for human rights have remained the same. - The Ministry of Women and Gender Affairs 11. The Ministry of Women and Gender Affairs (MPFG) is tasked with the implementation of the government’s policy on the promotion of the rights of women and gender in Burkina Faso. In this regard, it plays an important role in the implementation of the Maputo Protocol (cf. Part Two of the report). - The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) 12. The CNDH is a national institution set up to promote, protect and defend human rights. It is a consultative framework between public and private human rights promotion and protection stakeholders. Its work is governed by the principles of independence, impartiality, plurality, complementarity and cooperation. It assists the authorities in the form of advice on all issues relating to the promotion and protection of human rights. It may, on its own initiative, draw the attention of the authorities to situations of human rights violation and, where necessary, propose any initiatives likely to bring them to an end. Established by decree in 2001, the commission was reformed by Law No. 062-2009/AN of 21 December, 2009 on the establishment of a National Human Rights Commission in order for it to be in conformity with the Paris Principles. Its members were appointed by a ministerial cabinet decree of 3 October, 2012. They took the oath of office and elected the members of their executive committee on 7 February, 2013. The Chairman was appointed on 13 March, 2013. - The National Council on the Fight against the Practice of Excision 13. It was established by Decree No. 2011-116/PRES/PM/MASSN of 2 February, 2011 to replace the National Committee on the Fight against the Practice of Excision which was established on 18 May, 1990. In comparison with the Committee, it has wider jurisdiction and powers to take decisions. Its mission is to work towards the total eradication of female genital circumcision. - Civil Society Organizations 9