Gabon-28th Session November 2017-Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values

Para 41) [CEDAW] welcomed the amendments to the Penal Code to criminalize female genital mutilation, widowhood practices and levirate and sororate marriages. It was nevertheless concerned that discriminatory gender stereotypes concerning the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society persisted and that Gabon had not taken sufficient, sustained and systematic action to eliminate patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes, which contributed to the persistence of gender-based violence and harmful practices directed against women, including sexual violence, child marriage, polygamy and ritual crimes.