Embassy and Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea in Geneva
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Women
As a national organization, the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) plays a vital role in empowering women and ensuring the enforcement of national laws and policies that impact women. It possesses its own constitution, vision, mission, and structure, all of which are mandated by the Government of Eritrea. NUEW is a nationwide organization that encompasses Eritrean women from both within the country and the diaspora. To effectively execute its strategic programs, NUEW has established a comprehensive organizational structure. The NUEW National Policy on Gender and Action Plan aims to foster equal rights and opportunities for women, men, girls, and boys from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to engage in and benefit from a supportive, sustainable, and suitable economic, legal, social, and political framework.
Eritrea has implemented national mechanisms to promote the empowerment of women and facilitate their eligibility for decision-making roles. The country's policies guarantee equality for all citizens and are enforced through relevant government laws.
Provisions against discrimination can be found in various national codes and proclamations. For instance, anti-discrimination clauses are present in Article 4(4) of Proclamation 58/1994 (Land Proclamation), Article 65 of Proclamation 118/2000 (Labor Proclamation), Article 1492 of the Transitional Civil Code of Eritrea, Article 45 of Proclamation 2/1991 (equality of spouses), Article 50 of Proclamation 2/1991 (abolishing and criminalizing the traditional practice of abduction for marriage), and Proclamation 158/2007 (to end/criminalize FGM/C).
The National Strategic Plan to ensure Children's and Women's Rights, Abandon FGM/C, and End Underage Marriage 2020-2024 emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive and multi-sectoral actions to eradicate these harmful practices effectively. The plan also advocates for the establishment of a strengthened coordination platform, which includes the National Steering Committee, National Technical Committee, and Village Committees.
Anti-FGM/C awareness campaigns have been organized at the community level in Eritrea with the aim of reducing and eliminating the practice of FGM/C. In 2020, the Ministry of Health, MoLSW, and the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) conducted an FGM mapping study with the support of UNICEF. This study builds upon previous studies conducted in 2014, 2016, and 2018. The primary objective of the study was to assess the communities' readiness to declare their abandonment of the practice publicly. A total of 112 randomly selected villages and 7,836 individuals aged 15 years and above were included in the study. These villages were chosen from five sub-regions: Halhal in the Anseba region, Logo-Anseba in the Gash-Barka region, Galnefhi in the Central region, and Afabet and Nakfa in the Northern Red Sea region.
Knowledge of the harmful effects of FGM/C was almost universal (98.7%), with no significant variation among the sub-zone and the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents.
Ninety-eight percent (98%) of the respondents expressed a desire for the discontinuation of the practice. This percentage was significantly higher compared to the estimates obtained from women aged 15-49 years in the 2002 EDHS and 2010 EPHS surveys (52.2% and 82.2%, respectively). A notable finding from the study was that 96.8% of the respondents believed that there are no benefits from FGM/C. This percentage is significantly higher compared to the estimates from the 2002 EDHS and 2010 EPHS, which were 29.1% and 81.8%, respectively, among women aged 15-49 years. Another significant finding was that almost all respondents (96.1%) were aware of the proclamation that prohibits the practice of female circumcision in Eritrea. To further reduce and ultimately eliminate the practice of FGM/C, it is crucial for the community to collectively decide or declare to abandon the practice in large gatherings.
During the reporting period, the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) implemented 26 projects across the country in collaboration with the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW), the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS), and the Ministry of Education's Adult Education program.
The NUEW training centers have successfully trained 654 women, enabling them to either start their own businesses or secure employment in small enterprises. The training courses offered encompass a range of disciplines, including Basic Computer Training, Musical Instrument, Camera Shooting and Editing, Sound Recording and Editing, Tailoring, Weaving, Cooking and Catering, Body Care and Beautification, and Handcraft. As a result of these opportunities, many trainees have obtained employment and are now earning income.
Child Rights
National counseling, complaints receiving, and reporting mechanisms have been put in place to safeguard the safety of children in Eritrea. This mechanism aims to address violence against children and enhance community-based child protection activities. It also seeks to eliminate practices such as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), underage marriages, and other Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs). To achieve these goals, a total of 67 committees have been set up in all zones and sub-zones across the country.
During the reporting period, a series of awareness-raising activities were conducted nationwide. These seminars focused on various important topics such as birth registration, the elimination of harmful practices, the consequences of illegal migration, child rights protection, and efficient time management, reaching a total of 163,082 participants. A comprehensive training program was conducted nationwide on the prevention and rehabilitation of juvenile children, child-friendly justice, and the consequences of child and youth illegal migration to social workers, police officers, judges, attorneys, and other relevant stakeholders.
Furthermore, female-headed families, which include girls, orphans, children with disabilities, and families hosting orphan children, received support through the provision of mobile shops, special skill training, and other Income-Generating Activities (IGAs) tailored to their preferences and family's economic assessment criteria. Based on field monitoring and follow-up reports, the implementation of these IGAs has had a significant positive impact on enhancing the accessibility of basic social services, such as education, healthcare, food, and nutrition security, as well as improving the quality of life of families and their children.
In 2019, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW), in collaboration with UNICEF, offered socioeconomic assistance to 528 orphans residing with 132 vulnerable families and caregivers. Furthermore, 984 children with disabilities living in 246 vulnerable families were also prioritized. In 2020, support for Income income-generating activities was extended to 232 vulnerable families hosting 928 orphans and 76 vulnerable families hosting 304 children with disabilities. In 2021, assistance was provided to 243 families hosting 729 orphaned children and 113 families caring for children with disabilities. The provision of socioeconomic support encompasses all zones determined by a family's economic assessment criteria while considering their preferred area for income-generating activities.
In 2021, copies of the Comprehensive National Child Policy were printed and distributed to all national actors. Additionally, the awareness-raising manual on combating all forms of violence and discrimination against children underwent a thorough review and was updated to ensure its effectiveness.
During the reporting period, 138 households, hosting a combined total of 478 orphans, were supported through various Income-Generating Activities (IGA) of their choosing. It is worth noting that 50% of the beneficiaries are female-headed households. This financial assistance comes in the form of a one-time grant, amounting to USD 667.00 per family.
Several children living with HIV/AIDS have received monthly financial assistance. These monthly cash transfers have improved their households' daily consumption and supported those taking antiretroviral medication in extending and improving the quality of their life. Furthermore, comprehensive care to families and children affected by HIV, including psychosocial support and case management procedures, has been consistently provided.
In 2021, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare developed a child labor reference manual for trainers, social workers, and inspection officers. The primary objective of this manual is to raise awareness and strengthen efforts to prevent and monitor child labor. Child labor monitoring is done by the Labor Inspection Service (Article 143(1) of Labor Proclamation) in collaboration with social workers, local administrations, and, if needed, with an authorized police department.