The Angolan government has proposed raising the maximum prison sentence for domestic violence from 10 to 15 years due to persistently “alarming” cases, particularly affecting women and children, announced Ana Paula Neto, Minister of Social Action, Family and Women’s Promotion.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting reviewing the draft law to amend the domestic violence legislation, Neto said the update aims to strengthen legal responses, protect human dignity, and improve prevention mechanisms. The proposed changes also align domestic violence law with the Angolan Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and international human rights instruments ratified by Angola.
The proposal includes the creation of a Domestic Violence Observatory to monitor cases, track the impact on victims, and evaluate the law’s effectiveness. Cases of domestic violence will be classified as public crimes, ineligible for pardon or amnesty, with offenders required to serve sentences in full and potentially perform community service.
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In 2024, government data recorded more than 14,500 cases of domestic violence, including 8,255 against women and 6,332 against men, with the Family Counseling Center receiving about 39 cases daily.
The Cabinet also discussed a draft law on the vandalism of public property, reducing the maximum penalty from 25 to 15 years, following a 2024 Constitutional Court ruling that struck down 14 provisions of the previous legislation.
