ANGOLA: UN RECOMMENDS SPECIAL FOCUS ON WOMEN'S RIGHTS

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

July 13, 2004 - (IRIN) After bearing the brunt of years of civil conflict, women in Angola require special attention and efforts to achieve equality, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was told this week.

Filomena Delgado, Angola's vice-minister for Family and Promotion of Women, said despite adverse conditions, steps had been taken to improve women's rights in the war-affected country: a state secretariat established in 1991 had been upgraded to a ministry in 1997 and the government had also taken "other initiatives to address the socioeconomic, legal and political aspects of gender parity".

Delgado noted that Angolan women suffered high levels of mother/child mortality, malnutrition, illiteracy, poverty, violence, lack of resources and unemployment in both the formal and informal sectors; women also headed most households and were most affected by HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

There were concerns that despite increased opportunities, "differences existed", particularly in "decision-making, education, health, employment and governance".

A report presented to the CEDAW noted that there were no laws specifically condemning sexual crimes against women. Moreover, domestic crimes were rarely punished, "and when complaints are filed, a great deal of leniency is always shown in sentencing men".

The report highlighted efforts by the Organisation of Angolan Women, a legal advice centre, to promote equal opportunities and raise awareness of women's rights.

The report recommended that additional resources be channelled into promoting gender equality until 2005, with special attention paid to implementing projects aimed at reducing poverty among rural women.

Recent research has shown that as a result of the war Angola has some 1.3 million displaced persons, of whom about 80 percent are women and children.

From: http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=42165