Displaying 47001 - 47025 of 58126 recommendations found
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:LithuaniaLithuaniaRegional groupEEGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual violence
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Adopt measures, including appropriate legislation, to prevent, penalize and eliminate all forms of violence against women, end impunity for sexual violence and ensure access to justice.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 22) … the current Somalia Penal Code stipulates that cases governed by more than one criminal legislation, that the special legislation supersedes the general one, and that the Penal Code shall nevertheless apply to cases governed by other special legislation, unless the latter specifies otherwise. Therefore, the draft laws developed by the MoWHRD, such as .. the Sexual Offences Bill …, will provide significant (additional) legal protection as special legislation taking precedence over the articles of the Somali Penal Code.
Para 23) In 2017, the Somali Office of the Attorney General (AG) established a Sexual and Gender-Based Violence unit, with trained special prosecutors, half of which are women. The AG’s office is working to expand the SGBV unit and build better case monitoring systems. Also, the AG’s office is combatting traditional settlements of criminal cases between police, perpetrators and victim’s family (often represented by elder). Considering the existing gaps between traditional justice mechanisms and the formal justice system, efforts have been made to raise awareness among traditional elders on women’s rights at the FGS and FMS level.
Para 24) To supplement the provisions of the new Penal Code, especially on sexual crimes, the MoWHRD has, following wide consultations with stakeholders, developed a Sexual Offenses Bill (SOB), which is intended to address sexual crimes, improve SGBV victims’ access to justice and ensure perpetrators do not enjoy impunity. Once the drafting of the new Penal Code is concluded, the MoWHRD will conduct the human rights review of the code. The draft of the new Penal Code is expected to be ready by 2022.
Para 34) Furthermore, the FGS has developed legislations to reinforce human rights protection. These include the draft legislation on Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Bill (FGM), Sexual Offences Bill, Child Rights Bill, Juvenile Justice Bill, Education Law, and the National Disability Rights Law, which will domesticate Somalia’s obligations under the international instruments it has ratified. In this context, the implementation of policies and legislations are delayed by the challenges that are inherent to Somalia being a country emerging from conflict with cross-cutting reform priorities that build on the promotion of an inclusive environment.
Para 42) The MoWHRD convened a consultative forum to review Somalia’s National Action Plan on Ending Sexual Violence. In 2017 the first meeting of the National Gender Based Violence Cluster Group for Somalia chaired by the FGS was held in Mogadishu. In addition, access to justice has increased through the use of legal aid providers and mobile courts which have benefitted SGBV survivors and to address impunity. The MoWHRD and MoJ advocated for the complete transfer of SGBV cases from the customary justice system to the formal justice system and commenced a capacity building programme for specialized sexual violence prosecutors throughout Somalia. Efforts to strengthen the provision of services to survivors of conflict related sexual violence included the establishment of the first forensic laboratory for analysis and evidence gathering in SGBV cases.
Para 43) The signing of a Joint Communique by the FGS and the UN on the commitment to end sexual violence in conflict demonstrates Somalia’s political will to the United Nation’s Security Council Resolution 1325. In this context, the MoWHRD has initiated the development of an implementation plan for the National Action Plan on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict. This is an overarching plan aimed to introduce measures to mitigate sexual violence in the conflict context of Somalia, with a special focus on vulnerable groups for sexual violence, such as internally displaced persons. The JPHR is one of the programmes that is taking forward the implementation of the National Action Plan to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. Also, the MoWHRD, together with FMS and CSO stakeholders, have conducted a joint review of the National Action Plan in 2017.
Para 45) The outcome of the convention was the first-ever Somali Women’s Charter, which codifies the demands of the Somali women in areas such as the constitution, addressing sexual violence, access to justice, female genital mutilation and women’s political and governance participation at all levels of government. The Charter is ground-breaking is in its reach, scope, inclusivity and ambition. It called for sustained advocacy and engagement on the obstacles facing women noting that the issues raised by women in the forum needed to be anchored in laws including the constitution that is currently under review. Somalia first unveiled the Charter during the 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women held in New York in March 2019, highlighting the commitment of the Government to the implementation of the Charter. The Charter’s outcome continues to influence the campaign for the participation of women in public affairs including the current electoral process.
Para 53) The MoWHRD, in partnership with Somali universities and UNICEF, has established a Social Work degree programme in 2020 to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on children and their families in Somalia. The aim of this programme is to bolster government and CSO partners' capacity, through seconding advanced social work students, in their response to Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence related issues.
UN Compilation:
Para 13) The Secretary-General stated that the sexual offences bill, which would ensure that rape was no longer classified as a “crime against morality”, had not yet been approved. Following consultations on the bill by Islamic religious scholars, provisions intended to criminalize child marriage had been removed.
Para 14) The Secretary-General commended the Government on its commitment to implement a new national action plan on ending sexual violence in conflict with the support of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the United Nations system.
Para 51) The Independent Expert noted that women continued to be subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related violence, female genital mutilation and early and forced marriage. Sexual and physical violence against women and girls was widespread, committed with near-total impunity.
Para 52) The Independent Expert reported that 76 per cent of documented acts of rape occurred inside camps for internally displaced persons and 14 per cent in host communities. About 76 per cent of the female population justified domestic violence.
Para 53) The Independent Expert noted that the United Nations had recorded hundreds of sexual violence incidents against women and girls, attributed to unidentified armed men, clan militiamen, Al-Shabaab elements and members of the Somali police and armed forces. In most instances, families and victims preferred to complain to the traditional courts, where damages could be awarded to the male family member of the victim or the perpetrator could be requested to marry the victim in accordance with xeer.
Para 54) UNSOM and OHCHR observed that the Somali legal system addressing sexual violence comprised sharia law, xeer and the formal justice system, although most cases were dealt with under xeer and sharia law. As currently practised, those systems often resulted in further victimization of women and girls, with no justice for survivors, and impunity for perpetrators. The National Action Plan on Ending Sexual Violence and Conflict provided a framework for tackling the issue of conflict-related sexual violence in Somalia. Puntland had promulgated the Puntland Sexual Offences Act of 2016 and the parliament of Somaliland had passed a sexual offences act in August 2018.
Para 56) The Independent Expert noted that harmful practices had continued unabated. Female genital mutilation, which 99 per cent of Somali girls and women aged 15–49 had undergone, continued to pose a risk to the health and well-being of those girls and women and constituted a violation of the rights of the child. The Independent Expert noted that the strategies implemented by the Somali authorities to overcome resistance by religious and traditional leaders who opposed the current age of marriage for girls appeared to be ineffective.
Para 57) UNHCR stated that reported incidents indicated that intimate partner violence and domestic violence, sexual abuse, child marriage, female genital mutilation and rape featured among the most common forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Women, girls, older persons, child- and female-headed households, people with disabilities, marginalized clans and internally displaced persons were the most affected. Given the lack of access to justice, the fear of retaliation, stigmatization and discrimination and the culture of impunity, most cases of sexual and gender-based violence went unreported.
Para 60) The same office stated that the responsibility for sexual violence, including rape, against 227 girls had been attributed to government security forces, including the Somali National Army (25) and the Somali Police Force (14), and to regional forces, mostly the Jubaland forces (16). Sexual violence against children was also attributed to Al-Shabaab (26) and clan militias (17).
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 16) JS6 observed that Somalia did not have a comprehensive legal framework that addressed the rights of women and children. The National Development Plan (2017-2019) proposed the development of a National Children's Policy and Act drawing on Somalia's international obligations. In accordance with this plan, in 2017-2019, the government launched a number of policies such as the ratification of the African Charter, the FGM Bill, …, the Somali Sexual Offences Bill, … However, JS6 noted that, to date, many of these policies are drafts and not enacted or implemented by the State.
Para 31) ASProject noted that, in Somalia, conflict-related sexual violence continued to be perpetrated between 2016-2020, during both inter-clan conflicts and military offensives. Whilst women and girls, particularly those who are internally displaced, remain disproportionately affected by sexual violence, cases against men and boys were also reported during this period. All parties to the conflict were responsible for conflict-related sexual violence, including the Somali National Army and Police Force, Al-Shabaab, Jubaland forces, and clan militias, amongst others. In areas under Al-Shabaab control, sexual violence is reportedly used as a strategy of social dominance and punishment.
Para 58) JS8 observed that, in addition to traditional barriers and hardships, Somali women have to contend with being victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Exacerbated by conflict, civil war and the rise of terrorist groups, Somalia became a very difficult place to be a woman and to survive.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:EgyptEgyptRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALOIFIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Consider acceding to the CRPD.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 10) Following extensive consultations and advocacy for the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the FGS signed the convention on 2 October 2018 and ratified it on 6 August 2019.
UN Compilation:
Para 2) Somalia ratified the CRPD on 6 August 2019.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 3) JS7 positively noted that, in … 2018 Somalia ratified …the CRPD. -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:JapanJapanRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupIssue:
- Early marriage
- Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Take measures to counteract serious violations and abuse of the human rights of women and girls, including early forced marriage and FGM.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 22) … the current Somalia Penal Code stipulates that cases governed by more than one criminal legislation, that the special legislation supersedes the general one, and that the Penal Code shall nevertheless apply to cases governed by other special legislation, unless the latter specifies otherwise. Therefore, the draft laws developed by the MoWHRD, such as .. the Anti-FGM Bill …, will provide significant (additional) legal protection as special legislation taking precedence over the articles of the Somali Penal Code.
Para 45) The outcome of the convention was the first-ever Somali Women’s Charter, which codifies the demands of the Somali women in areas such as the constitution, addressing sexual violence, access to justice, female genital mutilation and women’s political and governance participation at all levels of government. The Charter is ground-breaking is in its reach, scope, inclusivity and ambition. It called for sustained advocacy and engagement on the obstacles facing women noting that the issues raised by women in the forum needed to be anchored in laws including the constitution that is currently under review. Somalia first unveiled the Charter during the 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women held in New York in March 2019, highlighting the commitment of the Government to the implementation of the Charter. The Charter’s outcome continues to influence the campaign for the participation of women in public affairs including the current electoral process.
UN Compilation:
Para 13) The Secretary-General stated that the sexual offences bill, which would ensure that rape was no longer classified as a “crime against morality”, had not yet been approved. Following consultations on the bill by Islamic religious scholars, provisions intended to criminalize child marriage had been removed.
Para 47) The Independent Expert noted that Somalia continued to have the lowest school enrolment rates in the world and a particularly weak education system. Inadequate investment and discrimination limited access to education for women, girls, internally displaced persons, refugees and persons with disabilities. Despite programmes to improve school management systems, the capacity of teachers and school feeding programmes to increase enrolment and retention of girls in schools, there continued to be a disparity in school attendance between boys and girls, due to the ongoing conflict situation, the lack of safety for girls, and harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation and early and/or forced marriage. Girls with disabilities, girls in farming and nomadic communities in rural and remote areas, pregnant girls and girls in camps for internally displaced persons and refugees faced compounded forms of discrimination.
Para 51) The Independent Expert noted that women continued to be subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related violence, female genital mutilation and early and forced marriage. Sexual and physical violence against women and girls was widespread, committed with near-total impunity.
Para 56) The Independent Expert noted that harmful practices had continued unabated. Female genital mutilation, which 99 per cent of Somali girls and women aged 15–49 had undergone, continued to pose a risk to the health and well-being of those girls and women and constituted a violation of the rights of the child. The Independent Expert noted that the strategies implemented by the Somali authorities to overcome resistance by religious and traditional leaders who opposed the current age of marriage for girls appeared to be ineffective.
Para 57) UNHCR stated that reported incidents indicated that intimate partner violence and domestic violence, sexual abuse, child marriage, female genital mutilation and rape featured among the most common forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Women, girls, older persons, child- and female-headed households, people with disabilities, marginalized clans and internally displaced persons were the most affected. Given the lack of access to justice, the fear of retaliation, stigmatization and discrimination and the culture of impunity, most cases of sexual and gender-based violence went unreported.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 16) JS6 observed that Somalia did not have a comprehensive legal framework that addressed the rights of women and children. The National Development Plan (2017-2019) proposed the development of a National Children's Policy and Act drawing on Somalia's international obligations. In accordance with this plan, in 2017-2019, the government launched a number of policies such as the ratification of the African Charter, the FGM Bill, the Disability Act, the Somali Sexual Offences Bill, the Child Rights Bill and the Juvenile Justice Bill. However, JS6 noted that, to date, many of these policies are drafts and not enacted or implemented by the State.
Para 17) JS4 noted that since nationality in Somalia was transferred through the patriarchal line, women’s equal citizenship and equality in the family was undermined, as well as that of their children.
Para 60) … Furthermore, JS8 stated that 98% of women in Somalia are subjected to FGM. The occurrence of FGM in Somalia was one of the highest in the world.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthIssue:
- Early marriage
- Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
- Forced marriage
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Adopt comprehensive policies abolishing child, early and forced marriage.ExplanationThe definition of 'early' is different in Somalia compared to international standards.ImplementationUN Compilation:
Para 13) The Secretary-General stated that the sexual offences bill, which would ensure that rape was no longer classified as a “crime against morality”, had not yet been approved. Following consultations on the bill by Islamic religious scholars, provisions intended to criminalize child marriage had been removed.
UN Compilation:
Para 51) The Independent Expert noted that women continued to be subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related violence, female genital mutilation and early and forced marriage. Sexual and physical violence against women and girls was widespread, committed with near-total impunity.
Para 56) … The Independent Expert noted that the strategies implemented by the Somali authorities to overcome resistance by religious and traditional leaders who opposed the current age of marriage for girls appeared to be ineffective.
Para 57) UNHCR stated that reported incidents indicated that intimate partner violence and domestic violence, sexual abuse, child marriage, female genital mutilation and rape featured among the most common forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Women, girls, older persons, child- and female-headed households, people with disabilities, marginalized clans and internally displaced persons were the most affected. Given the lack of access to justice, the fear of retaliation, stigmatization and discrimination and the culture of impunity, most cases of sexual and gender-based violence went unreported.
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State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
Type:Review DocumentationSession:41st session, November 2022Status:Reference AddressedContents:CEDAW … recommended ... that all cases of gender-based violence were investigated, that perpetrators were prosecuted and punished, and that victims had access to reparations. [Para 18]
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State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:Review DocumentationSession:41st session, November 2022Status:Not Followed up with a RecommendationContents:AI and JS14 recommended that South Africa withdraw the declaration [in relation to the ICESCR]. [Para 10]
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State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:Review DocumentationSession:41st session, November 2022Status:Reference AddressedContents:UPR-BCU recommended that South Africa ratify the OP-CRC-IC and the OP-ICESCR. [Para 12]
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State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:ArgentinaArgentinaRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASOEIIssue:
- Intersex persons' rights
- Discrimination based on sexual orientation
- Discrimination based on gender identity
- Violence on the basis of sexual orientation
- Violence on the basis of gender identity
Type:RecommendationSession:27th Session May 2017Status:AcceptedContents:Take urgent measures for the investigation and effective punishment of perpetrators of discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:GermanyGermanyRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:27th Session May 2017Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Ensure unconditional access to primary, secondary and tertiary education for all groups of society, irrespective of their socioeconomic situation, ethnic background or genderExplanationRecommendation noted.
‘Noted’ recommendations are those which South Africa is in the process of considering and cannot commit to at this stage. -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:FranceFranceRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOIFIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
Type:RecommendationSession:27th Session May 2017Status:AcceptedContents:Strengthen efforts undertaken to combat violence against women -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SwedenSwedenRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Training for state personnel on sexual rights issues
- Sexual violence
- Violence on the basis of sexual orientation
- Violence on the basis of gender identity
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:RecommendationSession:27th Session May 2017Status:AcceptedContents:Undertake continued and enhanced efforts to protect and provide redress to women suffering from violence and to continue raising awareness, through training and other means, in the judicial system, including to the police, of the necessity to act against all cases of sexual and gender-based violence, including on the grounds of real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SloveniaSloveniaRegional groupEEGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Early marriage
- Sexual exploitation / slavery
Type:RecommendationSession:27th Session May 2017Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Ensure in national legislation that the minimum age for marriage is 18 years for both girls and boys and take all necessary measures to prevent and eliminate child sex tourism and exploitation of child labourExplanationRecommendation noted.
‘Noted’ recommendations are those which South Africa is in the process of considering and cannot commit to at this stage. -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Gender equality
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Empowerment of women
Type:Review DocumentationSession:27th Session May 2017Status:Reference AddressedContents:The (UN) country team recommended that South Africa revive efforts to develop a comprehensive, multisectoral national strategic plan on gender-based violence and that it assess, debate and promulgate the Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill. [Para 51] -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Sexual violence
Type:Review DocumentationSession:27th Session May 2017Status:NeglectedContents:Sexual violence remained a scourge in prisons. [Para 35] -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Sexual violence
- Domestic violence
Type:Review DocumentationSession:27th Session May 2017Status:NeglectedContents:Establish a working group that ensures police are fulfilling their duties as stipulated in the Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Offences Act [Para 71] -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:PalestinePalestineRegional groupObserverPolitical groupOICALIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:13th session, June 2012Status:AcceptedContents:To consider ratifying the ICESCR and its OPs.ExplanationThere is heightened awareness and commitment on the part of government to step up its national program of ratification of these instruments. The President of the Republic in his foreword to the 2nd South African UPR Report has reiterated this commitment.ImplementationNational Report Annex:
ICESCR ratified in 2015 and came into force on 12 April 2015.
Optional Protocols have not been ratified.
UN Compilation:
Para 2) The United Nations country team noted the ratification by South Africa of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2015...
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 2) The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) indicated that the Government had ratified ICESCR in 2015... -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UkraineUkraineRegional groupEEGPolitical groupCISIssue:
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:RecommendationSession:13th session, June 2012Status:AcceptedContents:Take measures improving the security of citizens and enhancing protection of particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.ExplanationThe South African government is a State Party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol. At the inauguration of the fourth administration of the South African government in May 2009, President GJ Zuma established a fully fledged department for Women, Children and People with Disabilities. This Ministry carries the national mandate to ensure the mainstreaming of the rights of persons with disabilities in all the governments programs at all spheres. Particular emphasis is placed on women, particularly those in rural areas who, have been identified as care-givers who play a critical role in community development and are the primary recipients of the above programmes. The government in its Zero Hunger programmes including Integrated Food Security Strategy targets persons with disabilities as key beneficiaries.ImplementationNational Report Annex:
PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION
The Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act 116 of 1998 provides sanctions against domestic violence.
Key law reforms undertaken to address gender and sexual violence:
• Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007;
• Protection from Harassment Act, 2011 (Act 17 of 2011);
• Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013; and
• Prohibition and Prevention of Torture Act, 2013.
The conviction rate relating to sexual offences in 2014/15 stood at 69%; and in the first quarter 71.1% conviction rate.
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State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SpainSpainRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUOEIIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual violence
Type:RecommendationSession:13th session, June 2012Status:AcceptedContents:Rigorously apply the legislation against gender violence and sexual violence, especially against girls and boys.ExplanationAccess to justice is entrenched in the Constitution of South Africa, national legislation, policies and programmes. Several measures have been put in place to particularly ensure women's access to justice e.g. National Access to Justice Week held during women's month (August) every year, 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children, Multi-disciplinary care-centres for victims of sexual offences and crime (Thuthuzela care centres). The primary purposes of these programmes are to ensure maximum protection of victims, provision of adequate remedies to victims including combating impunity with the view to ensuring non-recurrence. Additionally victim-friendly rooms, shelters for abused women, counselling services for victims of abuse, family violence, child protection and sexual offences units have been established.ImplementationNational Report Annex:
FULL IMPLEMENTATION
The Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act 116 of 1998) provides sanctions against domestic violence.
Key law reforms undertaken to address gender and sexual violence:
• Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007;
• Protection from Harassment Act, 2011 (Act 17 of 2011);
• Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2013; and
• Prohibition and Prevention of Torture Act, 2013.
The conviction rate relating to sexual offences in 2014/15 stood at 69%; and in the first quarter 71.1% conviction rate. -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:AlgeriaAlgeriaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALIssue:
- Maternal health / morbidity / mortality
Type:RecommendationSession:13th session, June 2012Status:AcceptedContents:Consolidate its strategies and programmes to reduce the phenomenon of maternal and child mortality.ExplanationThe government entered into a partnership on 9 August 2011, known as MDGs Acceleration Framework (MAF) to specifically focus on those MDGs presenting challenges of attainment by 2015. These include MDGs 4, 5 and 6. This partnership has already begun to show signs of positive trajectory.ImplementationNational Report Annex:
PARTIAL IMPLEMENTATION
Despite expansion of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, The National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths (NCCEMD) was established to monitor and recommend solutions to reduce maternal mortality. The Committee is responsible for investigating every maternal death, with respect to primary and final causes of death, and the care that was given. Recommendations for the care of pregnant mothers are then made in a report provided to the Minister of Health. Strategies for reducing maternal mortality are made on the basis of this report. -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:Review DocumentationSession:13th session, June 2012Status:NeglectedContents:... It called upon South Africa to amend the Children's Act with the aim of prohibiting virginity tests for girl children, and to design and implement effective education campaigns to combat traditional and family pressures on girls and women in favour of this practice. [Para 19; CEDAW] -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:CubaCubaRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASOEIACSIssue:
- Right to marry
Type:RecommendationSession:41st session, November 2022Status:AcceptedContents:Continue national efforts to put together a new Marriage Act to guarantee the rights of all persons without any discrimination.
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State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
Type:Review DocumentationSession:13th session, June 2012Status:Reference AddressedContents:... CLC recommended stronger measures to protect and provide redress to women at risk of or subjected to gender-based violence. [Para 39] -
State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:EcuadorEcuadorRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASOEIIssue:
- Empowerment of women
- Women's participation
Type:RecommendationSession:41st session, November 2022Status:AcceptedContents:Promote women's empowerment and implement additional measures to increase their representation in the public and political spheres.
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State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:GeorgiaGeorgiaRegional groupEEGIssue:
- Women's participation
Type:RecommendationSession:41st session, November 2022Status:AcceptedContents:Conduct steps towards increasing women's representation in decision making level and providing capacity building for women candidates.
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State Under Review:South AfricaSouth AfricaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthSource Of Reference:National ReportIssue:
- Abortion
- Marginalized groups of women
- Sexual and / or reproductive rights and / or health broadly
Type:Review DocumentationSession:1st session, April 2008Status:N/AContents:... Services that were introduced in order to improve women's health under the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act are now available in about 65% of tertiary and secondary level hospitals. There are still challenges regarding this services, especially in rural provinces like Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape. Cervical cancer services have reached numbers of women. [Para 65]