16 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Pre-session working group – Zimbabwe Operate on the basis of a general presumption, as required by the Bangkok Rules, against the arrest and detention of women who are pregnant or mothers or carers of children (including single mothers). At the time of arrest and detention, detaining authorities must ensure that women who are pregnant or mothers (in particular those who are breastfeeding) or carers of children are identified confidentially with a view to ensuring urgent consideration of their situation so that, where possible, they are released immediately.

Ensure that mothers (in particular those who are breastfeeding) or carers of children, who are detained, receive the support they require to arrange interim alternative care for children in their care. Give unconditional access to the healthcare information and services required by pregnant women and women who have recently given birth, who have been detained. The special nutritional needs of such women and women who are breastfeeding in detention must be met.
Give access to the facilities and resources needed for childcare in detention, including nutritional and sanitary products, to women with babies or small children.

State authorities must not refuse special consideration to the needs of women who are pregnant or mothers or carers of children (as well as the needs of children detained with their mothers) or justify such refusal arbitrarily as a punitive measure. Give support to families of detained women human rights defenders, where needed, while the women are in custody.
Amnesty International June 2011 Index: AFR 46/014/2011