Introducing the report, Marie Francoise Dikoumba, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs of Gabon, said that the revision of the Civil Code would recognise surviving spouses and children as legal heirs and so suppress discrimination against widows concerning social security benefits.

A proposed bill amending the Criminal Code would enlarge the definition of crimes of violence against women and criminalize incest and marital rape, said Ms. Dikoumba, quoting the 2012 national health and demographic survey which found that 21 per cent of women in Gabon had been victims of sexual violence.

This year, Gabon would undertake a study to elaborate the law on family and social action and so lay the ground for the revision of certain discriminatory provisions in the law. Also, a commission had been established to reflect on legislation on customary marriage which would reduce discrimination against women.

In the ensuing discussion, Committee Experts commended Gabon for the impressive achievements in education and in reducing female illiteracy. Expressing concern about persistent discrimination in the law, they stressed the need for a legal framework that would be effective in protecting women and eliminating discrimination. Experts were concerned about pervasive violence against women, including sexual violence, and inquired about the adoption of the amendments to the Criminal Code and whether a comprehensive law on domestic violence was envisaged. The delegation was asked how harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation, early marriages and polygamy, were addressed and if the Government had sent a clear signal that it would not tolerate or condone any cultural or customary practice that represented violence against women. Committee Experts also asked about the quota system and measures to increase political representation of women, causes of very high maternal mortality rates, restrictive abortion law, sexual abuse of girls in schools and measures to reduce high rates of school drop-outs.

The delegation of Gabon included representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Gabon to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

Ms. Dikoumba in closing remarks said that the country was involved in a lengthy process of creating and implementing legislation and changing attitudes and mentality, and reiterated the commitment of Gabon to the implementation of the Convention.

Yoko Hayashi, Committee Chairperson, encouraged Gabon to address the Committee’s concluding observations which would be communicated through the Permanent Mission.

source : www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media

Arsene REBOUKA