TAKING ACTION AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN GUINEA

UNCLAS CONAKRY 000769 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWMN PREL KPAO PHUM GV SUBJECT: TAKING ACTION AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN GUINEA REF: A) STATE 104889 REF: B) CONAKRY 00751 ¶1. SUMMARY. In response to reftel A request, Embassy submits the following report on specific activities undertaken to celebrate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and activities undertaken during the UN 16 Days of Activism Campaign Agains Gender-Based Violence. Post also submits a description of the forms of violence prevalent in the host country as well as a description of efforts that have made an impact on the issue. END SUMMARY. -------------- GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN GUINEA -------------- ¶2. Although Guinea is a signatory to many regional and international conventions banning violence against women, gender-based violence remains a significant problem. Violence and societal discrimination against women and the prostitution of young girls are serious concerns. These problems are compounded by a lack of effective attention and action by Guinean authorities in regards to gender-based crimes. For example, rape is a criminal offense, but it is rarely prosecuted. Spousal rape is neither punished nor regarded as a criminal offense. Prostitution is illegal but is widely practiced and generally tolerated Domestic violence against women is common, although estimates are unavailable as to the extent of the problem. Female genital mutilation (FGM),though illegal, affects approximately 96% of women in Guinea-- the highest rate of on the continent. It is practiced widely in all regions and among all religious and ethnic groups as the laws are not enforced. -------------- -------------- INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN -------------- -------------- ¶3. On November 20, Embassy hosted a seminar on "The Elimination of Violence Against Women" in collaboration with a local women's group, th Club des Femmes d'Action. Over sixty participants from the Guinean government, NGOs, universities, press, and the private sector attended the conference. For more details on the event, please see reftel B. -------------- -------------- 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE -------------- -------------- ¶4. During the United Nations "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" post sought to raise public awareness by focusing November's Human Rights Working Group (HRWG),a monthly forum covering various human rights themes, on violence against women. Presentations by members of local NGOs and by members of the government were followed by an animated discussion on the responsibility of Guinean society to acknowledge and effectively address the issue of violence against women In addition to Embassy-hosted events, the Guinean women of the Club des Femmes d'Action independently organized a conference at the People?s Palace, home of the Guinean legislature. Sponsored by the Guinea National Alliance for Awareness and Education, the event commemorated the International Day for Eliminating Violence Against Women and featured both presenters and audience testimony from women affected by various forms of violence. Over 350 people from across Guinean society many of whom were young men, attended the event. -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶5. Societal pressures and cultural mores in Guinea discourage many victims of gender based violence from reporting these crimes. The Guinean authorities' reluctance to prosecute these offenses only perpetuates the problem. Lack of education as to a woman?s rights, on the part of both men and women, contributes to the continuation of gender based violence in Guinea. Through USAID, the U.S. Government supports programs for fistula repair, and reductions in FGM rates and early forced marriages. The Embassy?s Human Rights Working Group has proven to be an effective tool for focusing attention on key human rights issues, including a range of issues that directly affect women. RASPOLIC