26.The Women Police Network of Angola has organized and participated in various activities, including the following:

•A conference on the importance of women in conflict mediation processes; participation in the fourteenth edition of the United Nations course on women and the police regarding the use of information and communications technology in Uganda; a peacekeeping operations course for women in Brazil in 2025; a course on gender perspective for senior officers in 2025; and training on cybercrime for eight officers.

•Angola conducted a peace support operations train-the-trainer course, a predeployment/SAAST course, a course on mechanisms for National Defence Institute peacekeeping missions and a seminar on integrating a gender perspective into policing; a total of 97 women and 39 men participated in training sessions on gender in Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.

Access to justice

Reply to paragraph 4 (a)

27.During the period under review, 3,566 women benefited from legal assistance provided by the State through the Social Action, Family and Gender Equality Offices and family counselling centres. Such support includes legal guidance, assistance with legal proceedings, mediation and referral to social protection services.

Reply to paragraph 4 (b)

28.To ensure access to justice for all women, the State provides reasonable accommodations for women with disabilities, protective measures for those in vulnerable situations, and free legal aid services, including support in cases of gender-based violence. Efforts have been made to raise awareness of Act No. 21/12 on persons with disabilities and Decree No. 27/16 on accessibility. During this period, the Migration and Foreigners Service registered 3,949 cases involving migrant women for immigration violations.

Reply to paragraph 4 (c)

29.The current oversight mechanism, which is designed to ensure that women are not forced to resort to alternative dispute resolution processes but have a free and informed choice to seek formal justice, and that such processes do not constitute an obstacle to women’s access to formal justice in cases of gender-based violence, is the National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity.

Reply to paragraph 5 (a)

30.The Ministry of Social Action, the Family and the Advancement of Women is responsible for developing and implementing public policies and programmes.

Reply to paragraph 5 (b)

31.Recent budget allocation (general State budget):

•Economic empowerment of women: 14%

•Support for gender issues and the advancement of women: 7%

•Project to support rural women: 5%

•Domestic violence and family counselling SOS hotline project: 5%

•National award for distinguished women: 4%

•Purchase of kits for traditional birth attendants: 4%

Reply to paragraph 5 (c)

32.The National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity is currently under review, with a draft proposal that outlines clear guidelines for gender mainstreaming programmes and the development of measurable indicators of women’s empowerment. The policy aims to consolidate institutional mechanisms, align with national and international frameworks (National Development Plan for the period 2023–2027, Angola 2050 and Sustainable Development Goal 5) and strengthen the capacity of the National Directorate for Gender Equity and Equality and the Multisectoral Gender Commission at all levels of government.

Reply to paragraph 5 (d)

33.The Government has taken steps to strengthen support for and cooperation with women’s organizations and other civil society actors, including partnerships with associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for programmes on training, entrepreneurship and social protection; the promotion of forums for dialogue to involve civil society in decision-making and the monitoring of gender policies; funding and technical support for projects aimed at preventing gender-based violence, promoting women’s economic empowerment and fostering women’s political participation; and joint awareness-raising efforts with community leaders to increase the reach and impact of public policies.

34.These measures are intended to strengthen the role of the Ministry of Social Action, the Family and the Advancement of Women as the core national mechanism for the advancement of women by building its institutional, technical and financial capacity, ensuring women’s active participation at all levels of decision-making, and promoting the effective implementation of gender equality policies.

National human rights institution

Reply to paragraph 6 (a)

35.The recent passing of Act No. 1/25 of 12 March 2025 has brought about significant changes, notably the consolidation of the financial independence of the Office of the Ombudsperson: it has ceased to be a budgetary unit under the authority of the parliament and has become a budgetary body, as provided for in article 2, paragraph 2, and article 21, paragraph 1.

36.Act No. 29/20 of 28 July 2020, on the statute of the Ombudsperson, is currently being revised to bring it into line with the Constitution.

37.The current statute of the Ombudsperson provides for independence from public authorities, a democratic election process, informal procedures, free access to services and prompt action.

Reply to paragraph 6 (b)

38.With regard to the issue of a specific mandate on women’s rights, it should be noted that the mandate of the Ombudsperson is general in nature. Its support structure does include one thematic area, namely the Department for Vulnerable Social Groups, in which women are included in view of their vulnerability.

39.As to the number of complaints regarding gender equality, over the past six years (2019–2024) and in the first quarter of 2025, the Ombudsperson received 28,161 complaints of various kinds, as shown below:

Complaints over the past six years, disaggregated by gender

		Gender
Year	Complaints	Male	Female	Collective/group
2019	505	346	74	85
2020	350	217	56	77
2021	719	435	169	115
2022	4 424	4 150	139	135
2023	7 386	–	–	–
2024	10 353	–	–	–
2025 (first six months)	4 424	3 414	848	98
TOTAL	28 161	8 562	1 286	510

40.Over the past eight years, there has been an increase in the number of complaints filed by women, which amount to more than 1,286. Overall, men continue to account for the majority of claimants.

41.The complaints received by the Ombudsperson from women covered a wide range of issues, including retirement pension applications, denial of paternity, child support payments and the expediting of legal proceedings.

42.Between 2019 and the first quarter of 2025, the Ombudsperson held 18,110 hearings, as shown in the table below:

Hearings granted by the Ombudsperson, disaggregated by gender

		Gender
Year	Hearings granted	Male	Female	Collective/group
2019	233	194	50	19
2020	24	17	4	3
2021	239	160	70	9
2022	5 102	4 732	352	18
2023	4 631	3 783	721	127
2024	5 297	3 822	1 349	–
2025 (first six months)	2 584	1 812	701	59
TOTAL	18 110	14 520	3 247	235

43.The data in the table above show an upward trend in the number of hearings requested by women, although there remains a degree of reluctance to use reporting mechanisms, especially in cases of domestic violence, and to defend their rights more generally. Since 2023, the Ombudsperson has had offices in 12 provinces and it has begun conducting virtual hearings in 26 municipalities.

Temporary special measures

Reply to paragraph 7 (a)

44.The State is implementing temporary measures to accelerate the achievement of gender equality, including revising legislation, strengthening women’s autonomy and leadership, providing training for decision-making positions, conducting awareness-raising campaigns, coordinating with parties and electoral institutions to implement 50% quotas, promoting gender parity in the civil service and forming partnerships with civil society and international organizations to advance political empowerment.

Reply to paragraph 7 (b)

45.Observable results and recorded progress include an increase in participation by women in parliamentary, government and judicial roles in recent election cycles; an expansion of the network of women community and political leaders, including through training and mentoring; and a gradual increase in the representation of women on governing bodies and management bodies at the central and local levels, which all reflect the positive impact of temporary special measures.

Reply to paragraph 7 (c)

46.As part of its efforts to support disadvantaged groups, the Government has placed a strong emphasis on the inclusion of women from disadvantaged groups, including women with disabilities, rural women and women from minority groups or economically vulnerable groups. Such efforts include targeted training programmes, technical assistance, mentoring and measures to encourage political and social participation.

Reply to paragraph 7 (d)

47.Obstacles preventing the full realization of gender parity that can be identified as persisting challenges are sociocultural stereotypes that limit the acceptance of women in leadership roles; some party structures that do not fully implement gender parity measures at the provincial and municipal levels; political participation among women with disabilities and rural women that is lower than the national average; and the need for continuous monitoring and to strengthen accountability mechanisms in order to ensure compliance with temporary special measures.

Gender stereotypes and harmful practices

Reply to paragraph 8 (a)

48.The State has strengthened the legal and policy framework for combating discrimination based on gender stereotypes. Article 23 of the Constitution establishes the principle of equality and non-discrimination, prohibiting any form of discrimination based on sex, origin, social status or any other criterion, in accordance with relevant legislation. The National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity (Presidential Decree No. 222/13 of 24 December 2013) sets out guiding principles and specific measures for the elimination of gender stereotypes. Act No. 25/11 of 14 July 2011, against domestic violence, strengthens protections for women and establishes mechanisms to prevent harmful practices associated with gender inequalities.

Reply to paragraph 8 (b)

49.Observable results, although variable from sector to sector, include an increase in the representation of women in parliamentary, government and judicial roles in recent election cycles; an expansion of the network of women community and political leaders, including through training and mentoring; and a gradual increase in the representation of women on governing bodies and management bodies at the central and local levels, which all reflect the positive impact of temporary special measures.

Reply to paragraph 8 (c)

50.The State has emphasized the inclusion of women from disadvantaged groups, including women with disabilities, rural women and women from minority groups or economically vulnerable groups. Initiatives include targeted training programmes, technical assistance, mentoring, and measures to encourage political and social participation.

Reply to paragraph 8 (d)

51.The State acknowledges persisting obstacles to the full implementation of gender parity, which include sociocultural stereotypes that limit women’s leadership; the inadequate implementation of gender parity measures in some party structures, particularly at the provincial and municipal levels; political participation among women with disabilities and rural women that is lower than the national average; and the need to strengthen monitoring as well as accountability mechanisms in order to ensure compliance with temporary special measures.

Gender-based violence against women

Reply to paragraph 9 (a)

52.The Government has promoted a review of Act No. 25/11 through public consultations in all provinces, with the aim of expanding its scope to include new forms of domestic and gender-based violence. The reform is intended to address gaps in the current legal framework and provide mechanisms that are better suited to social realities and effective justice, covering forms of physical, psychological, economic, digital and structural violence that are not comprehensively addressed in the Criminal Code.

53.Act No. 25/11 does not define domestic violence as a separate offence; it defines only gender-based violence. The penalty depends on the Criminal Code. The Criminal Code criminalizes various forms of sexual violence, but it does not comprehensively cover all forms of gender-based violence, as required by general recommendation No. 35 (2017) on gender-based violence against women, updating general recommendation No. 19.

54.The Government’s efforts to revise the Act are aimed at increasing penalties, improving victim protection mechanisms and strengthening the response to gender-based violence.

55.Resolution No. 5/08 of 18 January 2008 of the Council of Ministers formalizes the 11 commitments to children, which were subsequently incorporated into Act No. 25/12 of 22 August 2012 on the protection and comprehensive development of children, and classifies violence against children into five categories: neglect, abuse, physical and psychological violence, discrimination, trafficking, exploitation, child labour and sexual exploitation.

56.These classifications are reflected in the Criminal Code, which takes a comprehensive approach to crimes against the person, with particular attention paid to women and children.

57.Act No. 25/11 classifies domestic violence into six categories, namely sexual violence; economic violence; psychological violence; verbal violence; physical violence; and family abandonment. These categories are consistent with the Criminal Code, which takes a holistic approach to the various types of violence, which, at its root, affects all people in both the public and private spheres. In the chapters, sections and articles of Book II, Title I, on crimes against the person, the definitions of and punishments for the following crimes are set out: crimes against life (murder and crimes against in-utero life); (a) crimes against physical and mental integrity; (b) crimes against a person’s freedom; (c) sexual crimes; (d) crimes against sexual freedom and self-determination; (e) endangerment; (f) crimes against human dignity; (g) discrimination; (h) crimes against honour; (i) crimes committed through the press and against press freedom; (j) crimes against privacy; (k) crimes against personal legal interests (illegal recordings, photographs or films); (l) crimes against the family (lack of a birth certificate, supposititious birth, substitution or abduction of newborns, concealment of parentage); (m) crimes against other family rights (failure to provide support, abduction of a minor or refusal to surrender a minor).

Reply to paragraph 10 (a)

58.The State has increased the human, technical and financial resources allocated to efforts to combat gender-based violence in order to ensure that measures are implemented. Support services have been expanded, including the free hotline 15020, which is staffed by qualified professionals and has been integrated into the Comprehensive Public Safety Centre, and the multisectoral teams that provide psychological, legal and social support. There are appropriate referral mechanisms and accessible services, with a particular focus on girls, women with disabilities and rural women.

59.For example, in 2024, family counselling centres registered 2,492 cases, of which 1,773 were referred to the judicial authorities, which highlights the effectiveness of the response and victim support systems. Activists and community facilitators have been trained on issues related to gender and violence.

60.Campaigns for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence have been carried out, as have national conferences on women and gender-based violence.

61.The existence of integrated social action centres in every province of the country is one of the measures designed to protect victims of domestic violence.

62.Measures taken to this end include:

•The establishment and operation since 2020 of the “SOS Children” reporting service, which has made it possible to adopt a set of measures to prevent and combat violence against children in all its forms, including the use of children to control, coerce or harm their mothers.

•The holding, between 2022 and November 2025, of 1,832 awareness-raising events, such as talks, seminars and meetings with children to educate them about their rights and ways to prevent violence, as well as with families, members of religious communities and teachers. The topics covered related to preventing and combating violence, in which a total of 495,691 people participated, of whom 167,616 were adults (78,206 men and 89,410 women) and 328,075 were children (148,478 boys and 179,597 girls).

•Psychosocial support was provided to a total of 5,275 children and several shelters across the country benefited from capacity-building and upskilling in nutrition-related topics. These shelters provide care for 9,870 children who are victims of violence. Care for these children includes support in the form of generous supplies of basic food items.

Reply to paragraph 10 (b)

63.The platform for combating domestic violence was officially launched on 2 October 2023, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the aim of collecting, storing and processing statistical data on domestic violence, support services, prevention, victim assistance, reporting, and public policy development. It allows users to file complaints, access information on prevention, find support and protection services for victims and obtain guidance and referrals.

64.Angola has an institutional mechanism in place for the systematization of data on domestic violence. Progress is being made towards monitoring and the State-level response.

Reply to paragraph 10 (c)

65.The creation of the data platform (violenciadomestica.ao) represents an important step towards systematizing information and monitoring domestic violence in Angola.

Reply to paragraph 10 (d)

66.The State recognizes the use of violence against children to intimidate or control mothers as a form of gender-based violence and has adopted specific protection measures, namely the joint implementation of the Act on the comprehensive development of children and the Domestic Violence Act; intervention by multisectoral teams to provide immediate protection for children who witness violence; psychological and social support through family counselling centres; training for police officers, counsellors and operators of the 15020 hotline to identify and refer cases; and community campaigns to prevent the use of children as weapons.

67.Prevention, suppression and protection measures relating to violence against children address all forms, causes and impacts of such violence, including less visible situations, such as indirect violence against children intended to punish the mother following the breakdown of a marital relationship. Cases of parental abuse characteristic of Munchausen syndrome by proxy are also taken into account, as is the protection of children who witness domestic violence, for whom support is provided by the psychosocial support centre of the National Children’s Institute.

68.The data on reported cases of domestic violence over the past three years are as follows:

Type of violence	2023	2024	2025 until July
Physical violence	2 294	696	1 403
Psychological violence	924	441	612
Sexual violence	2 848	946	1 863
Economic violence	724	395	400
Withholding food	467	678	258
Threats	947	422	848
Denial of paternity		443
TOTAL	8 204	4 021	5 384

69.Angola acknowledges the challenges posed by the systematic and disaggregated collection of data on harmful practices, including child and forced marriage under customary law, polygamy, female genital mutilation, forced sterilization, accusations of witchcraft and related violence.

70.According to the 2021–2022 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (National Children’s Institute/National Statistics Institute/United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)), the rate of child marriage in Angola stands at 30% for girls under the age of 18 years and 8% for girls under the age of 15 years.

71.Administrative data indicate a small number of formal complaints related to polygamy and none regarding female genital mutilation.

72.There are still no harmonized national statistics on accusations of witchcraft against women and children, although cases of violence or abandonment linked to traditional beliefs are recorded.

73.The State is strengthening its data collection and analysis mechanisms through the establishment of interministerial databases, the formation of provincial teams to register cases and the integration of specific indicators on harmful practices into gender-based violence monitoring systems.

Reply to paragraph 10 (e)

74.The Criminal Code of 2020 criminalizes assault, ill-treatment, abandonment and cruel acts committed under the guise of traditional practices or beliefs.

75.Numerous community awareness-raising campaigns have been carried out in collaboration with traditional authorities, using community radio stations, schools, churches and local governments, in order to dispel the myths that give rise to violence and exclusion.

Reply to paragraph 10 (f)

76.Angola has adopted structural and interministerial measures to protect persons with albinism, with a special focus on women and girls, who face multiple forms of discrimination (gender plus albinism). The most significant actions have primarily focused on the development and adoption of the plan for the protection of persons with albinism for the period 2023–2027, a national document that establishes a framework for social protection, access to healthcare, educational inclusion and the prevention of abuse and discrimination.

Care under the national health system

77.In recent years, more than 2,000 persons with albinism have received care through the national health system, with access to dermatology and ophthalmology services, psychological support and skin cancer prevention. In addition, national awareness-raising campaigns, led by the Government and its social partners, have been conducted in order to combat stigma and promote inclusion. At the same time, mobile health teams in rural areas are conducting medical screenings, distributing sunscreen and hats and providing information on preventive care. Also noteworthy is the institutional coordination achieved through the plan for the protection of persons with albinism, which brings together the health, social action, education, justice and local government sectors, ensuring a cross-cutting approach to the protection of persons with albinism, particularly women and girls.

Trafficking in women and girls and exploitation of prostitution

Reply to paragraph 11 (a)

78.Angola is working to prevent and combat trafficking in persons through the Intersectoral Commission for the Preparation of National Human Rights Reports and has provided assistance to 45 victims, 43 of whom were women and 8 of whom were minors. The victims received support from the Government, the International Organization for Migration and the embassies of their respective countries.

79.We have no registered cases of trafficking in women with albinism.

Reply to paragraph 11 (b)

80.Information provided in the reply to 11 (a).

Reply to paragraph 11 (c)

81.The causes of women’s involvement in prostitution are those commonly found, the main factors being work and poverty.

Participation in political and public life

Reply to paragraph 12 (a)

82.The Constitution establishes the principle of gender equality and the duty of the State to promote balanced participation by men and women in public and political life.

83.We have made significant progress in areas such as defence and security. For example, the participation of women police officers in decision-making processes has increased over the past five years, particularly at the commissioner officer level, with 0.01% of women performing command and leadership functions; 0.05% holding positions at the senior officer level; 3% at the junior officer level; 3.7% at the deputy chief level; and 7.6% at the officer level. The National Police continues to support initiatives aimed at increasing women’s participation in operational police work.

84.Women’s participation in police work has been encouraged through the promotion of training for women police officers, with a view to meeting the aspirations that the context requires.

Reply to paragraph 12 (b)

85.Women’s access to leadership positions in public and private enterprises and in the defence and security forces is guaranteed by law on the basis of the principle of equality and non-discrimination; everyone, regardless of gender, has equal access to leadership positions in public or private institutions provided that they meet the necessary professional requirements, and the number of women in management, leadership and decision-making roles in Angola is growing.

Women human rights defenders, journalists and civil society organizations

Reply to paragraph 13

86.Human rights defenders are free to carry out their activities in accordance with the relevant laws. As this is a fundamental right, it is protected by a constitutional guarantee set forth in article 50, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the Constitution, which recognizes the right of workers to form trade unions to defend their individual and collective interests. Dialogue and cooperation with civil society are open and ongoing. One of the specific objectives of the National Human Rights Strategy is to strengthen dialogue with civil society, which is considered to be a key partner. The Government has established systems for receiving information from and consulting with civil society organizations. Civil society is part of the Council of the Republic, a body that advises the President, and the councils for social consultation and coordination.

87.The freedoms of expression, information and the press are enshrined in articles 40 and 44 of the Constitution. Domestically, the protection of those freedoms is strengthened by the Press Act and laws in force guaranteeing the rights of media professionals. The media sector faces challenges stemming from globalization and rapid technological advances, which have necessitated regulatory adjustments to adapt to the new communication needs of society and related industries. In view of this, the Government has been pushing forward legislative reforms in the sector since 2022. The Angolan Social Communication Regulatory Body and the Journalists’ Licensing and Ethics Commission operate within a regulatory and oversight framework that involves professional associations, trade unions and NGOs dedicated to defending and protecting press freedom.

88.There have been no reported cases of journalists being detained, persecuted or killed as a result of exercising their freedom of expression or freedom of the press.

Nationality

Reply to paragraph 14 (a)

89.Civil registry – During the period between 2020 and 2024, 6,823,333 Angolan citizens were registered.

90.Issuance of identity documents. During the period between 2020 and 2024, a total of 4,333,863 identity documents were issued, of which:

•Ages 0 to 5 years: 939,147 were issued, of which 466,360 were for boys and 472,787 for girls

•Ages 6 to 17 years: 2,143,990 were issued, of which 1,047,391 were for boys and 1,096,599 for girls

•Ages 18 to 29 years: 750,460 were issued, of which 357,016 were for men and 393,444 for women

•Ages 30 to 55 years: 422,767 were issued, of which 149,555 were for men and 273,212 for women

•Age 56 years and older: 77,499 were issued, of which 27,239 were for men and 50,260 for women

Reply to paragraph 14 (b)

91.The registration of the birth of children up to 5 years of age and the issuance of the first birth certificate are free of charge, in accordance with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights fee schedule and Presidential Decree No. 301/19 of 16 October 2019. This measure benefits women in economically vulnerable situations, who often live in rural areas and among displaced persons, by removing the financial barriers that limit their access to registration.

92.The “Nascer com Registo” (Born with registration) programme, launched in 2017, allows for the immediate registration of newborns in hospitals and health centres. In 2024, the Njila Project, which focuses on setting up registration stations in maternity wards, expanded on the programme launched in 2017. This measure simplifies the process for mothers and removes the need for subsequent trips, which is crucial for rural women, who often give birth at local health centres.

93.In addition, mobile teams have been established and campaigns have been carried out to expand the registration and issuance of identity documents.

94.Act No. 6/15 of 8 May 2015, on simplifying birth registration, has helped to reduce red tape and has simplified the process for late registration.

95.Presidential Decree No. 267/24 of 28 November 2024 establishes measures to facilitate rapid and simplified access to identity documents, including expedited procedures for vulnerable citizens.

Education

Reply to paragraph 15 (a)

96.The budget for the education sector approved in the 2025 general State budget amounts to 2,647,016,382,425.00 kwanzas, representing 6.5% of the general State budget and marking a nominal increase of 43.5% compared with 2024. In accordance with article 83 of the Constitution and Presidential Decree No. 187/17, the sector has strengthened school inclusion through 1,664 inclusive schools, 22 special schools and 297 multifunctional resource classrooms, ensuring accessible and adapted environments for girls, including girls with disabilities and albinism. Girls account for 48.9% of students in the education system.

97.For the 2024/25 school year, 4,510,482 girls were enrolled in general education. According to the plan for the inclusion and support of persons with disabilities (Presidential Decree No. 217/23), the country has 44,918 students with disabilities, of whom 15,508 are girls.

Reply to paragraph 15 (b)

98.The school dropout rates are: 11.5% for elementary school; 10% for lower secondary school; and 12.1% for upper secondary school.

99.Measures taken by the sector: clubs on citizenship, health and gender; back-to-school campaigns; education on sexual and reproductive health; violence prevention and girls’ empowerment; training of 7,016 teachers in special and inclusive education; programmes such as the Girls’ Empowerment and Learning for All Project and the Youth Empowerment Project, which has already reached 200,251 adolescents and has the goal of reaching 300,000.

100.The National Institute for Educational Assessment and Development incorporates content on human rights, gender equality, democratic citizenship and violence prevention into its curriculum materials and teaching tools.

101.The causes of school dropout among girls with disabilities and other vulnerabilities include early pregnancy, lack of information about inclusive schools, agricultural work and support for family, lack of confidence among family members in a girl’s abilities, long distances between home and school, and sexual harassment.

Reply to paragraph 15 (c)

102.The revision of school materials, as part of the curriculum adaptation programme (2018–2025), is aimed at eliminating gender stereotypes; reinforcing positive portrayals of girls, including girls with disabilities and albinism; and promoting an inclusive, balanced and culturally sensitive approach. The updated materials will be aligned with the national teacher training plan to ensure consistency in their implementation.

Employment

Reply to paragraph 16 (a)

103.The executive authorities have received and investigated cases involving some female employees who were victims of psychological or sexual harassment in the workplace. Following intervention by the General Labour Inspectorate, employers were required to take measures such as terminating the contracts of some foreign female employees and transferring others to different roles.

Reply to paragraph 16 (b)

104.The number of officially insured workers in 2025 stands at 230,940, of whom 71,013 are women and 159,927 are men. They are covered by the social protection scheme established by Presidential Decree No. 295/20 of 18 November 2020.

Reply to paragraph 16 (c)

105.The Government has increased the general State budget for 2026 in order to support vulnerable groups.

Reply to paragraph 16 (d)

106.The national plan of action for the elimination of child labour, approved by Presidential Decree No. 239/21 of 29 September 2021, together with the national school feeding programme, approved by Presidential Decree No. 83/25 of 15 April 2025, are aimed at ensuring the comprehensive protection of children, including protection against domestic work.

Reply to paragraph 16 (e)

107.Angola has made significant progress towards fully acceding to the Domestic Workers’ Convention, 2011 (No. 189), of the International Labour Organization (ILO) by strengthening its legal framework to protect this group of workers. The Convention will enter into force in Angola on 11 June 2026.

108.The General Labour Inspectorate has reiterated that domestic workers are entitled to a new national minimum wage, which has been set at approximately 100,000.00 kwanzas in particular sectors and pay grades in order to counter exploitation.

109.Agreements have been signed to facilitate the registration and payment of social security contributions for domestic workers, ensuring that they are protected during retirement and in the event of illness. Presidential Decree No. 255/16 of 9 August 2016 established the legal regime for domestic workers.

110.The General Labour Inspectorate, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security, carried out awareness-raising and inspection campaigns (“Operation decent work” and the “Fair wage campaign”) to ensure compliance with regulations, the New General Labour Act and ILO principles of equal remuneration and social justice.

111.The national plan of action for the elimination of child labour establishes a vision for the elimination of child labour in Angola; the mission of developing strategies, prevention policies, a supportive environment for the healthy development of children and institutional capacity, all with the aim of eliminating child labour; the overall objective of adopting effective, immediate and comprehensive measures to promote the practical implementation of children’s rights as a means of preventing and combating the worst forms of child labour; and the progress made towards acceding to ILO Convention No. 189.

Health

Reply to paragraphs 17 (a) and (b)

112.Angola is working to build a national health system that is stronger, fairer and more focused on every Angolan man and woman, responds to their actual needs and provides high-quality, patient-centred care regardless of place of birth, with the goal of achieving universal health coverage. In Angola, abortion is addressed within the context of the protection of the right to life, which is a constitutional right. In the Criminal Code, the protection of life is paramount, but certain exceptions are provided for in accordance with international human rights standards. The Criminal Code criminalizes abortion, except in cases where it is medically indicated.

Reply to paragraph 17 (c)

113.The improvement in health impact indicators, particularly with regard to maternal and child health, is significant. According to recent data from the 2023/2024 Multiple Health Indicators Survey, infant mortality fell from 44 to 32 per 1,000 live births; mortality for children under five years of age fell from 68 to 52 deaths per 1,000 live births; and maternal mortality fell from 239 to 170 per 100,000 live births. These figures represent lives saved, families strengthened and futures secured. The survey was coordinated by the Ministry of Planning, through the National Statistics Institute, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and with technical assistance from international partners, ICF, through the Demographic and Health Surveys Program, the United States Agency for International Development, UNICEF and UNFPA.

114.Investment in primary healthcare has led to improvements in key public health indicators, particularly coverage of the fourth prenatal visit, which rose from 70% in 2023 to 75% in 2024, and the proportion of births taking place in health facilities, which rose from 49% in 2023 to 51% in 2024.

115.In the area of sexual and reproductive health, a strategic plan designed to raise awareness among adolescents, including girls with disabilities, about these issues is being implemented. In collaboration with UNFPA, UNICEF, the United States Agency for International Development, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Action, the Family and the Advancement of Women, and the media, the Strategy for Comprehensive Healthcare for Adolescents and Youth was approved. Under the strategy, action is taken in both urban and rural areas to educate and raise awareness among adolescent girls about sexual and reproductive health.

116.The results show significant progress: prenatal care coverage increased from 16% in 2018 to 80% in 2024; the proportion of institutional births attended by trained professionals rose from 25% in 2017 to 54% in 2024; and the percentage of health centres offering at least three modern family planning methods increased from 30% in 2018 to 60% in 2024.

Reply to paragraph 17 (d)

117.The mental health services network operates in six provinces, namely Luanda, Benguela, Huambo, Huíla, Cabinda and Malanje, and has a total of 31 health centres providing primary care through to tertiary care in order to ensure continuity of care throughout the various stages of treatment.

118.The National Health Development Plan for 2012–2025, implemented by the Ministry of Health, strengthens the mental health services network by promoting the integration of treatment into primary care, the training of specialized technicians and the availability of psychotropic medications in hospitals within the network that provide community-based care. In addition, the network conducts education and awareness-raising campaigns on mental health and involves communities, families and service users in its activities and decision-making processes. The following strategic operational actions are being carried out under the national mental health programme:

•Developing a strategic mental health plan.

•Training professionals on the provision of mental healthcare at all levels.

•Integrating prevention, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with mental disorders into essential primary and secondary care.

•Informing, educating and raising awareness among the public about mental health issues.

•Promoting healthy lifestyles and combating the stigma associated with mental health issues through community participation.

•Promoting and encouraging the social reintegration of people with mental disorders and the creation of support groups for these individuals and their families.

•Conducting operational research.

•Developing a protocol called “Mente Saudável” (Healthy mind) in collaboration with health centres to collect information on mental health. In collaboration with World Health Organization consultants and national partners, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Action, the Family and the Advancement of Women, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Public Administration, Labour and Social Security, NGOs and associations providing psychosocial support to persons with disabilities and/or mental illness, the Ministry of Health is developing a mental health strategy. Manuals are being developed for doctors and psychologists to assist healthcare professionals who work with these types of patients.

Reply to paragraphs 18 (a), (b) and (c)

119.As part of its gender equality programme, Angola conducts annual training sessions for traditional birth attendants, in collaboration with the health and justice sectors, on issues related to sexual and reproductive health, birth registration, parental responsibility, and nutrition, targeting women in rural areas, young women and adolescent girls. In 2023, 1,206 traditional birth attendants were trained nationwide; 4,661 in 2024; and 1,442 in 2025, bringing the total to 7,309 trained traditional birth attendants.

120.The campaign “Together against teen pregnancy and marriage” is currently being conducted.

121.Last year, as part of a project to strengthen family skills, 232 social work assistants, 158 of whom were women, received training in family skills. A total of 176 people benefited from the “Nutritious food for families” programme.

Reply to paragraphs 18 (d) and (e)

122.In Angola, there are two legal texts that address the issue of HIV and AIDS: Act No. 8/04 on HIV/AIDS, which is currently under review (it has been revised in the light of new scientific evidence and is now before the National Assembly for approval); and Decree No. 43/03 on HIV/AIDS, employment and vocational training. The Government, recognizing HIV/AIDS as a major health challenge, has made every effort to implement these regulatory texts, particularly with regard to the implementation of legally protected social rights, such as the right to non‑discrimination, the right to work, the right to employment and the right to vocational training.

123.Interventions targeting children with disabilities, including children with albinism, and victims of violence, with a particular focus on sexual violence, have registered no cases relating to the myth that “raping virgins” can cure HIV/AIDS and such a practice has not been identified in the approaches undertaken.

Rural women

Reply to paragraph 19 (a)

124.In Angola, rural women are a highly active and engaged segment of the population and constitute the majority of the labour force in the agricultural sector, as they are responsible for the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products. The Government has organized national forums on rural women with the aim of hearing about and reflecting on the multifaceted challenges faced by rural women, in order to identify areas where the Government can take action to address specific issues.

125.Training and educational programmes are offered to women in various fields, such as food processing, cooking, baking, cutting and sewing, fish processing and preparing nutritious family meals using local produce.

126.The forum on rural women is a mechanism for analysing and evaluating policies aimed at protecting and promoting the development of rural women, and participants include civil society organizations, women’s associations, traditional authorities, and government and religious entities.

127.With a view to promoting rural women’s autonomy, more than 899 young women across the country have received training in small business management in recent years.

128.In rural areas, a technical assistance programme for strengthening organization within communities has provided assistance to 2,374,875 of the 5,544,834 registered households engaged in agricultural activities. Of this total, 720,474 are women-headed households that are family-owned agricultural enterprises.

129.A project for developing the value chain covering the province of Cabinda has funding of $123.15 million. It has provided technical assistance to 12,000 families and 50% of its beneficiaries have been women.

130.The Smallholder Agriculture Development and Commercialization Project has provided assistance to 60,000 families in the provinces of Cuanza Sul and Huíla; 50% of the beneficiaries are women, 30% are young people and 20% are simply farmers.

131.The Family Farming Resilience Reinforcement Project covers the provinces of Uíge, Bengo, Zaire, Cuanza Norte, Benguela, Cunene and Namibe, with a budget of $150 million, and has provided assistance to a total of 216,000 farming families, who received agricultural supplies; 35% of the target group are women.

132.The Angola Family Farming and Livestock Transformation Project, which has benefited 37,500 women in the provinces of Huambo, Cuando Cubango and Namibe; the Agricultural Budget Support Project in the provinces of Cuanza Sul, Moxico, Benguela, Cunene, Huíla, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul and Luanda. Benefited 35,000 families, 50% of whom are women.

133.The promotion and strengthening of community organizations: of a total of 5,544,834 households engaged in agricultural activities, 621,729 received assistance through the Extension and Rural Development Programme and 461,845 through promotion activities, 35,320.

134.Some families organized in associations, cooperatives and groups at the national level received loans from various banking institutions totalling 789,209,144.50 kwanzas, benefiting a total of 726,924 citizens, of whom 411,321 were women. Community funds and banks granted loans totalling 67,185,787.00 kwanzas to members of associations and cooperatives, benefiting a total of 6,853 people, of whom 3,463 were women.

Women facing intersecting forms of discrimination

Reply to paragraph 20 (a)

135.The plan for the protection of persons with disabilities (2023–2027) includes measures aligned with the principles of inclusion and non-discrimination, in accordance with Act No. 21/12 of 30 July 2012, on persons with disabilities, thereby strengthening the protection of children and women with disabilities.

136.From a legal standpoint, there is no ban on consensual prostitution in the Criminal Code, meaning that a person who engages in prostitution at their own initiative is not considered a criminal.

137.The Criminal Code defines certain offences related to sexual exploitation and incitement of prostitution, namely articles 189 (exploitation of prostitution), 190 (trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation), 195 (procuring of minors), 96 (trafficking in minors for sexual exploitation), 197 (solicitation of prostitution from minors) and 198 (child pornography).

Reply to paragraph 20 (b)

138.The mechanisms for reporting violence against children are available to all, be they a national, foreign national, migrant, asylum seeker or stateless person. Migrant and asylum-seeking girls therefore can and should use them. However, the statistical data collected do not provide a specific breakdown for this group, indicating that there was no recorded case involving children during the period under review. The existence of family counselling centres in every province across the country makes it possible to refer cases of violence requiring legal intervention and to provide psychosocial support to victims.

Marriage and family relations

Reply to paragraph 21 (a)

139.The age of majority in Angola is 18 years, and the same applies to marriage; article 24, paragraph 2, provides for an exception allowing the marriage of boys aged 16 years and girls aged 15 years, subject to an assessment of the circumstances and with the authorization of the parents, guardians or a court. The Family Code is currently being revised to bring it into line with the Constitution and the international instruments that Angola has ratified. The parliament has publicly advocated for setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years without exception and for moving forward with the reform of the Family Code.

Reply to paragraph 21 (b)

140.Act No. 25/12 provides for immediate protective measures for victims, as well as the issuance of protection orders to put distance between the abuser and the victim and protect the victim. The Government of Angola, in collaboration with NGOs, has developed support and shelter programmes for victims of domestic violence, which include temporary shelters for women and children, offering protection, psychological support and legal services; free legal assistance in cases involving separation, child custody and child support; specialized units in the National Police for cases of domestic and gender-based violence; specific training and education on the enforcement of protection laws; and victim hotlines, including numbers for anonymous reports.

141.The Domestic Violence Act establishes that domestic violence must be taken into account in decisions regarding child custody, visitation rights and child support in order to protect the well-being of the minor and the victim. In cases of divorce or separation, the courts are required to ensure that the process of dividing property, determining custody and establishing visitation rights takes into account domestic violence and its impact on the lives of the victim and the child. For example, a court may grant sole custody to the mother or another non-abusive caregiver, or it may restrict the abuser’s visitation rights, depending on the risk to the child and the victim.

Reply to paragraph 21 (c)

142.Angola provides free legal assistance to women facing discriminatory practices on family matters, including inheritance, child custody, child support and the financial consequences of separation or divorce, through the Angolan Bar Association, the appointment of public defenders by the courts, and institutional support provided by public services and civil society organizations. However, the State acknowledges the need to strengthen the collection of gender-disaggregated statistical data on the number and outcomes of legal proceedings in these areas.

Data collection and analysis

Reply to paragraph 22

143.The main mandate of the Angola Gender Observatory is to monitor, collect, analyse and disseminate data on gender equality and equity, women’s rights in public policy and compliance with national and international commitments, including the women and peace and security agenda and the recommendations of the Committee.