138. In the country, there are only three special schools for disabled children, two in
Bissau (White Stick and National School for the Deaf) and one in Bissorã, Oio region.
5.4. Respect for the Child's Point of View
139. In order to ensure the implementation of the rights enshrined in the African
Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child in general, the Government has
established the Institute for Women and Children, as was identified above, granting
administrative and financial autonomy, necessary for compliance of its objectives.
140. The IMC has a special department on children's affairs, which has been
conducting a number of children's consultation activities, including the establishment
of the Children's Parliament which, prior to its sessions, is preceded by the holding of
regional parliament sessions.
141. The National Children's Parliament (PNI), is made up of children
parliamentarians, from all regions of the country, in equal numbers and proportional
to the members of the National People's Assembly (ANP), chosen by constituencies.
It is comprised of the General Assembly, Board of Directors and Departments. The
General Assembly, is the supreme body of the PNI and its holders, all the Children's
Parliamentarians, are elected for a renewable four-year term.
142. At the age of 18, the parliamentarian must inform the General Assembly and
disengage from the PNIO children's parliament not only gives the children
possibilities to express their views, but also to be with political leaders.
143. The Children's Fortnight, is held at the beginning of June, during which several
actions are taken to gather children's opinions, and actions are often carried out, that
allow the family members to know how to respect the child's point of view on matters
concerning them.
144. From a legal point of view, the promotion of Legal Guardianship of Children, has
allowed the child's opinion to be always taken into account, when their interests are
concerned, in particular in the case of choosing who should provide childcare
allowance in the case of parental separation or divorce and in cases of adoption.
145. According to the CRGB, the total guarantee of the exercise of the freedom of
expression of citizens established in Articles 51 and 52 concerning freedom of
expression, information, conscience, religious belief and worship, are considered
inviolable, in accordance with Articles 7 of the Charter and Article 13 of the CRC
respectively.
146. All the assumptions of these legal instruments, guarantee the following rights:
• However, domestic law does not expressly provide for the hearing of the child by
the Court in cases related to it and related to the exercise of parental responsibility,
but the court in practice, before giving a decision, always listens to the child under
Article 29 of the CRGB, which drew attention to the provisions of the African Charter
on the Rights and Welfare of the Child;
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