The Continental Government and the Perspectives of Women

The Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) is holding a series of activities around the eve of the African Union Summit, scheduled to be held in Accra (Ghana), 1-3 July 2007.

The Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) is a coalition of 26 civil society organizations across the continent. Since January 2005 members of the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR) Coalition have attended the African Union (AU) Summits to ensure that the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa remains on the agenda of policy makers and to urge all African leaders to safeguard the rights of women through ratification and implementation of the Protocol. To date 21countries have ratified the protocol on Women’s Rights, leaving 32 yet to ratify. The delay in ratification of the protocol by member states of the union undermines the universal achievement of continental standards on women’s rights.

In the proposal of the Union Government lies a long held vision to consolidate African unity, and an affirmation of the quest to unite Africa’s peoples across shared values and rights. Unfortunately, across the continent, the status of women continues to deteriorate under war and conflict, deeply rooted economic inequality, repressive undemocratic regimes, domestic violence and trauma, harmful cultural practices and poverty. In spite of the continental instruments for change, women’s rights remain elusive.

At the heart of the union debate must be a commitment to unite Africa’s people across gender by upholding respect for women’s rights and equality of opportunities for both men and women.

The events comprise a public forum, a press conference and active advocacy work targeting representatives of African Union member states. The public forum and the press conference will be held at the British High Commission, on the 26 of June from 9:00 am.

The pre-Summit public forum titled “The Continental Government and the Perspectives of Women” will provide an opportunity for governments as well as African civil society representatives to deliberate on the Grande debate on Continental Unity. Other issues including harmful traditional practices with special focus on Trokosi practice in relation to the Protocol will also be on the agenda.

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