enforced in accordance to Article 65 of the Proclamation. Article 67 also ensures that no termination of contract and maternity leave or on sick leave that arises out of her pregnancy or confinement happen in employment. In general, women employment encompasses full time government and private sector employees, part time workers, self-employed and seasonal employees. They are represented (47%) in the civil service and data of the economically active female population also shows that 51% of women work in agriculture. Available data also shows that the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW) has 21,245 registered members of which 40.4% (about 8,576) are women workers. In accordance to the Labor proclamation and the emerging economic growth, strengthening the social distribution of employment in women‟s status is thus a major issue. In general, union membership of all men and women workers has risen by 24.6% in 2013 compared to 2005. Dignity and Safety of Women 307. Eritrean women had played an unparalleled role in the liberation struggle and gender equality constitutes a fundamental pillar in independent Eritrea‟s political, social and economic dynamics and development. Furthermore, the culture of the society and the community gives much value and respect to girls and women and does not condone rape. This also constitutes a major factor on why sexual violence and rape remains insignificant and women travel during late night even in remote areas of the country. Hence, there is no space widespread, systemic violence against women. Eritrea‟s Penal Code also contains explicit legal provisions for severe punishment against rape and/or sexual violence, abuse, etc. on women. There are also ample provisions in the Transitional Penal Code (for instance provisions that punish all forms of physical injury [Articles 538, 539, 544 etc.]) that protect the person and liberty of any person, including women, from physical harms caused by any person, including their spouses. It is a crime and is punishable with rigorous imprisonment according to the Transitional Penal Code. All other forms of violence are also prohibited by the Transitional Criminal Code. 308. 309. Women are thus protected from sexual violence and rape. They may not of course be always reported by the victims due to social stigmatization which impinges on one‟s reputation. To combat this, government agencies, local and regional administrations, national organizations, religious leaders, the school system, local media outlets and all elements of the set of cultural institutions periodically conduct sensitization, advocacy, and support programmes. The NUEW in particular conducts advocacy services and actively defends the rights of the victims through its legal section. 310. In general, various means of redress are available through the provisions of the Transitional Civil Code on the harm caused on girls and women. Immediate compulsory pregnancy and HIV/AIDS checkups are conducted jointly by police through medical authorities. In addition, Post Exposure Prophylaxis Vaccination (PEP) is given within 72 hours to prevent HIV/AIDS. Both her family and the family of guilt person console the Page 78 of 100