Algeria’s national response to violence against women and girls was assessed under the 2024 Regional Index on VAWG, which shows mixed levels of achievement across seven categories. While Algeria recorded high scores in data systems and statistics (92.4%) and provision of services funded by the State (88.5%), the Legal Framework and Public Policies category scored 51.9%, reflecting persistent legislative gaps and limited alignment with international standards. Algeria has introduced legal reforms, including amendments to the Penal Code recognizing violence against women as a distinct form of gender-based violence. However, Algeria maintains reservations to several articles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), has not ratified the Optional Protocol, and does not have a comprehensive law criminalizing all forms of violence against women and girls, including marital rape.
Several ministries and national institutions have mandates related to the protection of women and girls, including the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family, and Women’s Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, and law enforcement bodies, in coordination with other relevant governmental institutions. The Ministry of National Solidarity, Family, and Women’s Affairs plays a leading role in coordinating policies and interventions related to violence against women and girls.
Algeria has developed a National Strategy to Combat Violence against Women (2007), which focuses on providing services to survivors, mobilizing society, and building institutional partnerships. This strategy has guided legislative amendments and training initiatives, although challenges remain in ensuring comprehensive prevention measures and effective national coordination.
Specialised services for women victims of violence are provided through two government-run shelters located in Bou Ismaïl and Mostaganem, as well as five temporary shelters for girls under the age of 18 in several governorates, all administered by the Ministry of National Solidarity, Family, and Women’s Affairs. Cooperation mechanisms exist between relevant ministries, police, health services, and judicial authorities for case referral and response, although the report notes limitations in institutional coordination and the absence of a gender-responsive national budget dedicated to combating violence against women and girls.