Prevalence

There are indications that violence against women and children is widespread in Angola (ANGOP 2 Aug. 2004; ibid. 16 July 2004; ibid. 29 July 2003; Country Reports 2003 25 Feb. 2004, Intro.; Women's Commission 15-28 Feb. 2001).

In addition, several articles reported on a growing trend of attacks and domestic abuse targeted at people, especially children, who have been accused of practising witchcraft (World Pulse 7 May 2004; The Chicago Tribune 28 Mar. 2004; IRIN 27 Jan. 2004).

Legislation

There are no laws specifically banning domestic violence (IWRAW 6 July 2004; IRIN 13 July 2004) and sources indicate that the courts tend to be lenient when sentencing perpetrators of violence against family members (ibid.; One World Action n.d.).

Services

Several sources mentioned the Ministério da Familia e Promoçao da Mulher (MINFAMU / Minfamu), which was translated variously as the Ministry of Women and Family (Country Reports 2003 25 Feb. 2004, Sec. 5), the Ministry of Family and Women Promotion (ANGOP 9 June 2004) or the Ministry of Family and Women Affairs (ibid. 29 July 2003).

Articles about MINFAMU indicate that it collects data about domestic violence (ibid. 9 June 2004), provides access to legal help (ibid. 24 Sept. 2003), participates in conferences on women's issues such as domestic violence (ibid. 29 July 2003) and establishes facilities such as confidential counselling centres (ibid. 13 Aug. 2003). The organization Rede Mulher suggested that MINFAMU has "limited influence and outreach" (One World Action n.d.).

Information was found on two non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that provide services to women victims of domestic abuse in Angola: Rede Mulher (One World Action n.d), and the Angolan Women's Organization, which provides legal assistance to women who have been victims of domestic abuse (SARDC Feb. 2001).

An article on children who have escaped the alleged abuse of family members who have accused them of practising witchcraft, indicated that some Catholic churches or orphanages have provided refuge to such children (The Chicago Tribune 28 Mar. 2004; IRIN 27 Jan. 2004). Some children accused of witchcraft end up living on the streets (ibid.; The Chicago Tribune 28 Mar. 2004). According to

Country Reports 2003,

The government-sponsored National Institute for Children was responsible for child protection, but it lacked the capacity to work adequately with international NGOs. The Government publicized the problems of street and homeless children during the year and held a conference in May on the plight of street children. No program had been implemented by year's end (25 Feb. 2004, Sec. 5).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Angola Press Agency (ANGOP). 2 August 2004. "Kuanda Kubango: Over 80 Cases of Violence Against Women Registered." http://allafrica.com/stories/200408021081.html [Accessed 16 Aug. 2004]

_____. 16 July 2004. "Family Director Worried with Domestic Violence Cases." http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-e.asp?ID=266745 [Accessed 28 July 2004]

_____. 9 June 2004. "Women Ministry Wants to Set Up Data System." The Arab Regional Resource Center on Violence Against Women (AMAN) Website. http://www.amanjordan.org/english/daily_news/wmview.php?ArtID=4519 [Accessed 16 Aug. 2004]

_____. 24 September 2003. "Legal Counselling to People Improves." http://allafrica.com/stories/200309240535.html [Accessed 16 Aug. 2004]

_____. 12 August 2003. "Women Ministry Set Up Counselling Centres in Malanje." http://allafrica.com/stories/200308130038.html [Accessed 16 Aug. 2004]

_____. 29 July 2003. "3,000 Cases of Domestic Violence Recorded Last Year." http://allafrica.com/stories/200307300015.html [Accessed 16 Aug. 2004]

The Chicago Tribune. 28 March 2004. Paul Salopek. "Children in Angola Tortured as Witches." WorldWide Religious News Website. http://www.wwrn.org/parse.php?idd=9654&c=2 [Accessed 28 July 2004]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003. 25 February 2004. "Angola." Department of State. Washington, DC. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2003/27711.htm [Accessed 17 Aug. 2004]

Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). 13 July 2004. "Angola: UN Recommends Special Focus on Women's Rights." http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=42165 [Accessed 28 July 2004]

_____. 27 January 2004. "Angola: Children Victims of Witchcraft Accusations." http://www.irinnews.org/print.asp?ReportID=39152. [Accessed 17 Aug. 2004]

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International Women's Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW). 6 July 2004. "Statement by Rede Mulher Angola To the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women." http://iwraw-ap.org/angola.htm [Accessed 16 August 2004]

One World Action. n.d. "Our Partners in Angola: Rede Mulher." http://www.oneworldaction.org/programmes/angola_partners.htm#rede_muhler [Accessed 26 Aug. 2004]

Southern African Research and Documentation Centre (SARDC). February 2001. Vol. 4 No.3. Alice Kwaramba. "Integrated Approach Needed in Fight Against Gender Violence." http://www.sardc.net/Editorial/sadctoday/v4-3-02-2001/v4-3-02-2001-9.htm [Accessed 29 July 2004]

Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children. 15-28 February 2001. "Assessment of Reproductive Health for IDPs." http://www.womenscommission.org/reports/ao/05.html. [Accessed 16 Aug. 2004]

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World Pulse. 7 May 2004. "Child Abuse in Angola." Operation Mobilization (Canada) Website. http://www.omcanada.org/stories/110.htm [Accessed 16 Aug. 2004]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: Action for Southern Africa, Africa Action, African Gender Institute, Amnesty International, Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Online Journal of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Peace Women, Save the Children.