124. On the international level, the representative noted the openness of Burkina Faso to bilateral and multilateral cooperation. She pointed out that Health and Social Action, and Economic three ministries, Plan and Cooperation, Promotion, were involved in the execution of the UNDP project to strengthen women in the informal sector. 125. With regard to article 2, she stated that adopted in 1990, which guaranteed the principle She pointed to the close cooperation rights. organieations despite their non-involvement in Concerning dowry and forced marriage practices, were dealt with primarily through information a new constitution had been of equality and women’s with non-governmental the preparation of the report. she noted that those issues and awareness campaigns. 126. Under article 3, the representative emphasieed that membership of the Union for Women of Burkina Faso was open to all and that the number of members constantly changed. She attributed the decline in female ministers and ambassadors over the previous years to political changes rather than to a ~~~~~~ failure of anti-discrimination policies. 127. As regards article before the Convention, 4, she mentioned that transitory although on a modest scale. measures had existed 128. Turning to article 5, she said that the Government was focusing on the most humiliating practices and stereotypes. such as excision and forced marriage, in its struggle for the advancement of women. The fight against sexist prejudices, however, was also on the agenda for "Social Action". Although eome programmes had only been in existence for one year, dialogue and awareness-raising had brought eome tangible results. On the problem of violence against women, she noted that, fortunately, not many cases had been brought before the authorities. She added that, under the new family code, the practice of .levira& (forced remarriage of widows) was forbidden. Furthermore, she noted that it was often difficult for the various women'6 organiGations to make their views known, as some of the issue6 were considered taboo. 129. With regard to article 6, the representative outlined the policies against prostitution. She noted that prostitution wae often a result of the fact that girls migrated from their villages to the cities, took up employment as an BLJX& or a similar job, and on losing their job resorted to prostitution. Measure6 to break that chain of events inaluded information and awareness campaign6 a6 well a6 training courses to prepare the girls better for their jobs. The Department for Social Reintegration dealt primarily with thoee iGGU06, which were often part of the broader question of the protection of minors. Regarding AIDS, the'repreeentative referred to the existence of an anti-AIDS commission that had been established under the Ministry of Ilealth. 130, With 7 , she said that there was currently no Concerning women's role in the public sector, she pointed out that the number of female ministers had been more or lee6 constant over the past years. However, factor6 such as lower literacy rates, household burdens and a widespread attitude on the Part of women not to Gtrive for higher poets remained major obstacle6 to women's participation and equality in public life. parliamentary regard to article GtrUCtUrG. -25-