Rape and Domestic Violence: The law criminalizes rape, including spousal rape, and the government enforced it. In 2013, the most recent year for which data were available, there were 451 rapes among the 2,014 sexual offenses recorded. According to the director of public prosecution’s most recent report, in 2012 there were 177 prosecutions for sexual offenses, resulting in 76 convictions. Most persons convicted received prison sentences of between five and 12 years.
The law criminalizes domestic violence, but such violence remained a problem. The law authorizes prosecution of a violent family member and provides victims with safety orders prohibiting a person from engaging in violent actions or threats and orders barring an offender from entering the family home for up to three years. Anyone who contravenes a safety, barring, or protection order is guilty of an offense punishable by a fine of up to 4,000 euros ($5,000), a prison term of 12 months, or both.
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): The law prohibits FGM/C. Someone who performs FGM/C in the country, or takes a girl to another country to undergo FGM/C, can be prosecuted. The maximum penalty for these offenses is a fine of up to 10,000 euros ($12,500), imprisonment for up to 14 years, or both. During the year there were no reported cases of FGM/C.
Sexual Harassment: The law obliges employers to prevent sexual harassment and prohibits dismissing an employee for making a complaint of sexual harassment. Authorities effectively enforced the law in cases of reported sexual harassment. The penalties for sexual harassment can include an order requiring equal treatment in the future, as well as compensation up to a maximum of two years’ pay or 40,000 euros ($50,000), whichever is greater.
Reproductive Rights: Couples and individuals have the right to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing, and timing of their children; to have the information and means to do so; and to attain the highest standard of reproductive health, free from discrimination, coercion, and violence.
Discrimination: Women have the same legal rights as men, including rights under family law, property law, inheritance law, labor law, and in the judicial system. Inequalities in pay, although prohibited by law, and promotions persisted in both the public and private sectors (see section 7.d.).