United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition. Estimates 2024.
(1) Prioritize the adoption and implementation of a comprehensive approach to address all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, and to enact pending legislation as part of a comprehensive legal framework which takes into account the relevant articles of the Convention and the Committee's general recommendation No. 19. (2) Raise public awareness, through media and education programmes, about the fact that all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, are unacceptable. (3) Train the judiciary, law enforcement officials, legal professionals, social workers and health-care providers on violence against women to ensure that violence against women is duly investigated, that perpetrators of violence against women are effectively prosecuted and punished with the required seriousness and speed, and that effective and gender-sensitive support is provided to victims, including shelters and legal, medical and psychological support. In particular, the Committee is concerned about those women and girls affected by violence during periods of conflict and political and institutional instability, and requests the State party to take adequate steps to support them. (4) Provide information in its next report on the laws, policies and programmes in place to deal with all forms of violence against women and on the impact of such measures, as well as data on trends in the prevalence of various forms of such violence.
(1) View culture as a dynamic dimension of the country's life and social fabric, subject to many influences over time and therefore subject to change. (2) Put in place, without delay, a comprehensive strategy, including clear goals and timetables, to modify or eliminate cultural practices and stereotypes that are harmful to, and discriminate against, women and to promote women's full enjoyment of their human rights in conformity with articles 2 (f) and 5 (a) of the Convention. This strategy should include specifically designed educational and awareness-raising programmes targeting women and men at all levels of society, including Government officials and traditional and community leaders, and should be aimed at creating an enabling environment for the transformation and change of stereotypes and discriminatory cultural values, attitudes and practices. (3) Put in place monitoring mechanisms to regularly assess progress made towards the achievement of established goals. (4) Strengthen its awareness-raising and educational efforts, targeted at both women and men, including Government officials at all levels, traditional and community leaders, and religious leaders, to eliminate the practice of female genital mutilation and its underlying cultural justifications. (5) Enact without delay legislation explicitly prohibiting female genital mutilation and to ensure that offenders are prosecuted and punished in accordance with the severity of this violation, including, in the interim, under existing provisions of the Penal Code.
(1) In accordance with articles 15 and 16 of the Convention and in line with its general recommendation No. 21, explicitly repeal all discriminatory provisions in national legislation and customary law in the areas of marriage and family relations as a matter of priority. (2) Take appropriate measures to eradicate harmful traditional practices and those customs and traditions that justify and perpetuate them.
(1) Incorporate into the draft legislation aimed at trafficking in persons, a definition of trafficking in line with article 3 (a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. (2) Undertake an assessment of the extent of trafficking in women and girls in Guinea-Bissau, both internally and across borders, and to begin to systematically collect data in this regard with a view to designing and implementing a comprehensive plan to prevent and combat trafficking that would include the provision of assistance and support to women victims. (3) Address the root causes of trafficking and to improve the economic situation of women so as to eliminate their vulnerability to exploitation and trafficking. (4) Enhance its collaboration and coordination with countries in the region aimed at the prevention and combating of trafficking in women and girls.
The constitution does not address violence against women and girls.
There is no standalone law addressing violence against women and girls. The issue is addressed through the following:
- Law No.14/2011 on female genital mutilation.
- The Penal Code criminalizes rape and some forms of domestic violence in general terms.
The latest National Action Plan on Violence Against Women was implemented between 2010 and 2015. There is no record of a renewed plan.