Ecuador is a presidential, democratic republic that elected its eighth leader in a decade of political turbulence in 2006. With a 4-year term of office, the President is head of state and head of government. Executive power lies with the government, while legislative power is held by the government and Congress. Voting is mandatory for everyone aged 18 to 65.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) and the Organisation of American States have recognised the candidate of the left as the winner of the election. The new President, a US-trained economist, started his term in January 2007 and has cited as his priorities debt renegotiation plans and proposals for reworking foreign oil contracts. 4 parties hold 77 of the 100 National Congress seats, 6 minor parties hold the balance of seats. No party dominates Congress.

Women and minorities run for elected office, but few women, indigenous persons or Afro-Ecuadorians hold such positions. At least 40% of candidates for Congress must be women, until 2008 when the percentage rises to 50%. There are 22 women in the current Congress and 1 in the cabinet. The indigenous movement has run candidates in elections at all levels and has 10 members in Congress and 1 in cabinet. The judiciary is independent but is susceptible to pressure and corruption.

Discrimination on the basis of race, sex or social status is prohibited, but significant discrimination is reported.

Some members of the security forces are accused of torture and abuse of suspects. Impunity is a problem. Mob violence against suspected criminals is reported, particularly in indigenous communities and in poor neighbourhoods.

Rural agricultural is the main source of employment, and rural poverty is extensive. Income distribution is severely skewed.

Freedom of speech and of the press are guaranteed. Criminal charges of slander and libel are brought against journalists, leading to self-censorship. Court-ordered wiretapping is legal. Internet access is not restricted.

Slavery and trafficking in persons are prohibited, but reports indicate the country is a source and destination for persons trafficked for labour and sexual exploitation.

Education is tuition-free through high school. The Education Minister reports that most children achieve a Grade 6 education. By law, 30% of the budget is earmarked for education, but, despite an increase of 9%, the allocation still amounts to only half that. Educational subsidies are provided to the poor as an incentive to keep children in school. UNICEF reports that 65% of the country's children live in poverty. Children are expected to complete 9 years of compulsory schooling, but a lack of schools and the high cost to families for books, uniforms and other materials result in many children being out of school, and the legislation on education is not enforced. Rural children attend school sporadically once they reach age 10, when they begin to work on farms. Religious instruction is permitted in private schools but not in public schools.

Education International is working with colleagues in the Ecuadorian education union to train teachers on HIV prevention through education. The Ministry of Education and the union are developing programmes and materials for use in schools on HIV/AIDS prevention.

A 1-year ECE programme begins at age 5. 39% of ECE is private. The Net Enrolment Rate (NER) is 62%. Of the 13,285 teachers working in ECE, 87% are women and 72% (62% of men, 73% of women) are trained. The pupil/teacher ratio (PTR) is 17 : 1.

Education is compulsory for ages 5 to 14. Primary education begins at the age of 6 years and lasts for 6 years. 2% of children repeat grade levels. 28% of primary education is private. The NER is 98%. Of the 80,012 teachers employed in primary education, 70% are women and 71% are trained. The PTR is 23 : 1.

A 6-year secondary education programme begins at age 12. At this level 33% of education is private. 53% of students in upper secondary education are in technical vocational programmes. 4% of students repeat grades. The NER is 52%. There are 43,817 teachers in lower secondary education and 30,868 in upper secondary. 69% of secondary teachers are trained (63% of men, 76% of women). The PTR is 13 : 1 in lower secondary and 14 : 1 in upper secondary school.

5,128 Ecuadorian students study abroad, mainly in the USA (2,345), Cuba (546), Germany (359), Chile (343) and France (291).

The rights of persons with disabilities are recognised in law and no official discrimination exists against persons with disabilities in education or in other state services. Limited educational opportunities are available for the disabled outside urban centres.

The law provides for the granting of asylum or refugee status in accordance with the 1951 U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and the government has established a system for providing protection to refugees. New legislation has been adopted concerning refugees.

Large numbers of Afro-Ecuadorian citizens suffer from poverty and discrimination, particularly in educational and economic opportunity. No special efforts have been made to address these problems. Limited educational opportunity continues marginalisation. The press has focused on racism in all strata of society.

It is estimated that between 7% and 20% of the total population are indigenous citizens at the lowest end of the income scale living in rural areas who suffer discrimination at many levels of society. Indigenous groups have worked with the Ministry of Education to provide bilingual education programmes in rural schools. Despite this positive step, the rural education system has serious deficiencies.

Reports do not indicate restrictions of academic freedom.

Women have the same legal status as men but they do not have equal rights in practice. Men earn 54% more than women on average. Fewer women are employed in professional work and skilled trades. Sexual harassment in the workplace is prohibited in law but common in practice. Discrimination against women is pervasive, limiting their educational and economic opportunities, particularly among the poor. Violence against women is prohibited, but social norms and reluctance to lay charges ensure its continuance.

The minimum age for employment is 15 for all types of labour. No laws protect children from exploitation in the workplace. A child may work 6 hours a day and 5 days a week but not in hazardous conditions. Children are paid 80% of the adult wage. Some estimates show that 300,000 child labourers exist in the country; a 2005 UNICEF study estimates the number to be 756,000 children working full-time, and estimates that 39% of children receive no schooling. UNICEF also estimates that 44% of children begin working at ages 10 to 14 and that 70% do not attend secondary school.

An ILO report estimates over 5,200 minors are engaged in prostitution. Various groups, including business, labour and NGOs, are trying to find solutions to the problem of child labour. Children as young as age 5 or 6 sell newspapers or candy on the street. A programme in 5 cities provides scholarships for child labourers to attend school.

Workers have the right to form and join trade unions, except for the police, the military and most public sector employees. Only 2% to 3% of the workforce is organised. Unions can be formed when there are more than 30 employees in a company; so employers subcontract through virtual companies, each with less than 30 workers, to stop union organisation. Subcontracted workers have no legal right to freedom of association or to bargain collectively.

The majority of public sector employees are prohibited from joining unions or exercising collective bargaining rights. Private employers with 30 unionised workers must negotiate upon request of the union. Temporary workers do not have the same rights as full-time workers. After a 10-day cooling-off period workers can strike; striking workers may be replaced if minimum services are not maintained.

Salaries and benefits are paid during a legal strike. Civil servants cannot bargain collectively and do not have the right to strike; they are liable to 2 to 5 years in prison should they do so; yet strikes by public school teachers and health workers have taken place. The minimum wage is set by the Labour Ministry in consultation with the Commission on Salaries, and it may be adjusted by Congress.

The minimum wage plus bonuses provide a gross monthly remuneration of US$166, which does not provide a decent standard of living for a worker and family. The standard work week is 40 hours.