full version - World Organisation Against Torture

Malimarriages, as well as pregnancy, prevent girls from continuing education.18The government of Mali has tried to rectify some inequalities betweenmen and women by passing new laws. For example, a law was passedattempting to give women better access to land. 19 However, because ofcultural attitudes towards women and a lack of political will, this law hasnot been effectively implemented. Additionally, the Malian governmentasserts that a Family Code is in the process of being legislated. 20 OMCTinsists that such legislation must eliminate all facially discriminatory provisionsin Malian law with respect to gender as well as establish effectivemechanisms for full implementation of all non-discriminatory provisions.3. Violence against Women in the Family3.1 Forced MarriageIt has been reported that forced marriage frequently occurs in Mali, eventhough it is formally illegal. 21 Although the consent of both the wife andhusband are required before a legal marriage can occur, young girls aresometimes pressured by their families, and even by state agents responsiblefor preventing forced marriages, to enter into a customary law marriage.22 Oftentimes, people in the community and women in particular areunaware of the statutory requirements for a legal marriage and will enterinto a customary law marriage, which has no legal standing, without fullknowledge of their rights. 23 Forced marriages make women vulnerable toviolence since, if they lack the power to decide to enter into the union,they likely lack the power to decide to leave the union.3.2 Domestic ViolenceAlthough the Penal Code was amended in 2001, there are no specific provisionsoutlawing domestic violence. 24 Domestic violence is also notaddressed in the State Party Report submitted by Mali, contrary to therequest in the General Comment 28, paragraph 11, of the Human RightsCommittee.277