Woman laws at Monaco
Here’s a clear and up-to-date overview of women’s legal rights and protections in Monaco, reflecting the latest legislative changes, institutional frameworks, and enforcement practices:
1. Constitutional Equality & Institutional Framework
Monaco has formalized mechanisms to promote gender equality and protect women’s rights, notably through the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, established in October 2018. This committee coordinates gender policy across government agencies and civil society, under the leadership of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and supported by a dedicated Women’s Rights Officer
2. Progress in Legislation & Legal Reforms
A multi-year legal review led to the amendment or deletion of 85 outdated or discriminatory legal provisions, modernizing Monaco’s legal framework to align with international standards
Legislation has been enacted to clarify and strengthen sexual assault definitions, including provisions explicitly criminalizing marital rape since Law No. 1.382 of 2011
Harassment and violence in schools have been addressed under Law No. 1.513 (Dec 2021), while sexual assault laws were further fortified via Law No. 1.517 (Dec 2021) .
Since December 2023, victims of domestic or sexual violence are entitled to state compensation, even when perpetrators are insolvent, as per Law No. 1.555 .
Efforts also include an early draft law on alternating residence arrangements for separated parents.
3. Domestic Violence Support & Victim Protection
AVIP (Association for Victims of Criminal Offenses), founded in 2014, provides legal, psychological, and administrative assistance to victims of domestic and sexual violence ℹ supporting around 60 new cases annually.
A coordinated support network integrates DASO (Social Affairs Department), AVIP, and police to manage victim intake, emergency accommodation, and transition to protective services.
Monaco has also introduced the App-Elles mobile app, enabling users to discreetly alert trusted contacts and authorities—with features like geolocation and recorded evidence admissible in court.
Training programs have reached hundreds of professionals across sectors—education, social services, justice, and police—to enhance response to gender-based violence .
The Monaco Statistics Institute (IMSEE) monitors and publishes annual data on violence against women: in 2023, 55 cases were reported to the police; 162 women received medical treatment for injuries related to violence—about one-third were residents.
4. Reproductive Rights & Abortion Policy
Abortion in Monaco remains mostly illegal, only permitted in narrow circumstances like rape, fetal deformity, severe illness, or imminent risk to the mother’s life.
In 2019, Monaco decriminalized the act of abortion (so women are not prosecuted), yet performing one remains illegal—providers still risk legal sanctions, and abortions must be sought abroad.
5. Marital Rape & Sexual Violence Legislation
Monaco’s criminal code explicitly criminalizes marital rape, a significant advancement introduced in 2011 .
However, despite modernizing the definition of sexual assault to include absence of consent, the legal framework still defines rape based on violence, coercion, intimidation, or surprise, rather than freely given consent.
6. Gender Representation & Leadership
Monaco boasts one of the most gender-balanced cabinets in Europe—50% female representation, with an equal number of men and women ministers.
Historical milestones include Laurence Aureglia (first female lawyer, 1959), Ariane Picco-Margossian (first female magistrate, 1970s), and Isabelle Berro-Amadeï (first Monegasque female Judge at the European Court of Human Rights, 2006).
Summary Table
| Domain | Current Legal Protections & Initiatives |
|---|---|
| Constitutional & Policy | Established Committee; modernization of laws; legal coordination across agencies |
| Criminal Law Reforms | Marital rape criminalized; updated definitions of sexual assault; state compensation for victims |
| Domestic Violence Support | AVIP and DASO services; App-Elles; integration across justice, social, and health services |
| Data & Training | Annual violence statistics; widespread training for professionals |
| Reproductive Rights | Abortion only in limited cases; decriminalized but still illegal internally |
| Leadership Representation | Gender-balanced cabinet; female pioneers in law and judiciary |
In conclusion, Monaco has made meaningful legal and institutional strides toward protecting women’s rights—through legislative reform, enhanced victim support, data and training initiatives, and symbolic and actual gender parity in political leadership. That said, limitations remain, especially around reproductive autonomy and full adoption of modern consent-based definitions of sexual assault.
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