Woman laws at Mongolia
Mongolia has made significant strides in recent years to enhance women's rights and gender equality through legislative reforms and institutional initiatives. Here's an overview of the current legal landscape:
⚖️ Legal Reforms and Legislative Updates
Law to Combat Domestic Violence (Revised in 2017)
In December 2016, Mongolia's Parliament passed a revised version of the Law to Combat Domestic Violence, which came into effect on February 1, 2017. This amendment marked a critical step forward by recognizing domestic violence as a criminal offense for the first time in the country's history. Under the new law, the first instance of domestic violence is addressed with administrative measures, while subsequent offenses are treated as criminal acts, subject to penalties including imprisonment or restriction of movement.
The revised law also mandates the establishment of shelters and support services for victims, requires citizens to report instances of domestic violence, and obligates relevant agencies to cooperate in providing comprehensive assistance to survivors.
Criminal Code Amendments
In 2015, Mongolia's Criminal Code was amended to include provisions specifically addressing family violence. These amendments penalize less severe offenses with measures such as restriction of movement or imprisonment for one week to three months, while more severe offenses can result in imprisonment for one to six months. Additionally, the code recognizes the legitimacy of self-defense for victims of abusive spouses who are exposed to constant abuse and harassment.
🏛️ Institutional Initiatives
National Gender Center The National Gender Center, operating under the Prime Minister's Office, plays a pivotal role in promoting gender equality in Mongolia While it is not an independent agency dedicated solely to safeguarding women's rights, it collaborates with various councils and committees to address women's issues and implement gender-sensitive policies
**Women's Leadership Network (WLN)** The Women's Leadership Network is an advocacy group that has been instrumental in pushing for higher gender quotas in political representation Their efforts led to the increase of the gender quota for party candidates from 20% to 30% in the 2024 parliamentary elections, with a goal to reach 40% by the 2028 elections This initiative aims to enhance women's participation in decision-making processes at the national level
⚠️ Areas for Improvement
Economic Participation While Mongolian law mandates equal pay for equal work and access to education for both men and women, challenges persist Women are prohibited from certain jobs that involve physical labor or are considered especially dangerous Additionally, despite legal entitlements to alimony and equal rights in divorce, women often face disadvantages, such as husbands retaining control over family businesses post-divorce Furthermore, women are not permitted to file for divorce if they are pregnant or have a child under the age of one, as stipulated in Article 12.2 of the Family Code
In summary, Mongolia has enacted significant legal reforms to combat domestic violence and promote gender equality However, challenges remain in areas such as economic participation and political representation, necessitating continued efforts to ensure the full realization of women's rights in the country
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