In a positive step, the Government decided to introduce human rights education in secondary schools and is preparing a curriculum for introduction in 1998. Women Violence against women, particularly spousal abuse, is widespread, according to the Ministry of Women's Rights and Family Welfare, attorneys, and nongovernmental organizations. In August the Government took a significant step to address these problems by enacting legislation that outlawed domestic violence and provided mechanisms to protect women and children in particular. Officials report that the number of spousal abuse cases has been rising in the last 3 years due primarily to better reporting. Women have traditionally played subordinate roles in society, and societal discrimination continues.
Women do, however, have access to education, employment, and government services.
The Government placed strong emphasis on the health and welfare of children, and displayed a commitment to expand educational opportunities for children. Education is mandatory up to the age of 12, and the Government plans to increase this to the age of 15. Most government programs are administered by the state-funded National Children's Council, which provides counseling, investigates reports of child abuse, and takes remedial action to protect affected children. There is no discrimination against disabled persons in employment, education, or in the provision of other government services. The law requires organizations that employ more than 10 persons to set aside at least 3 percent of their positions for the disabled.