Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR), a pan-African coalition working for the popularization, ratification and domestication of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, celebrates the Protocol’s coming into force today (November 25) on International Day Against Violence Against Women, 30 days after the government of Togo became the 15th country to ratify.

“It is fitting that the Protocol comes into force today as NGOs across Africa launch their activities for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence,” said Faiza Mohamed of Equality Now, a SOAWR member. “We will use this period to push for universal ratification of the Protocol and to ensure that it is domesticated in order to give all women in Africa stronger protections against violence and discrimination,” she added.

The Protocol, adopted for ratification by the African Union in July 2003 establishes essential rights for women and girls across the continent and offers a series of advances in international law in the protection and promotion of women’s rights, including a call for the criminalization of female genital mutilation; the prohibition of abuse towards women in advertising and pornography; and the establishment of a broad range of economic and social welfare rights for women. It is also the first time that an international instrument specifically grants women the right to medical abortion in the case of rape, incest or threat to her health and life. In addition, the rights of particularly vulnerable groups of women, including widows, elderly women, disabled women, poor women, women from marginalized populations groups, and pregnant or nursing women in detention are specifically recognized.

Benin, Cape Verde, The Comoros, Djibouti, The Gambia, Lesotho, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Togo were the first 15 countries to ratify the Protocol. However, 38 states in the African Union have yet to ratify it.

The coming into force of the Protocol takes place just weeks after Liberia’s Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became the first woman elected president of an African nation. Johnson-Sirleaf’s victory has been welcomed by women’s rights activists as a sign of positive change for women in the continent.

“Africa is playing an important global role in paving the way for gender equality,” said Mohamed. “We believe these two events signal a shift in the right direction for the rights of women in Africa. However, we are urging all remaining member states of the AU to join these 15 countries and ratify the Protocol. Every government must show commitment and political will to securing the human rights of African women.”

For more information contact:
Equality Now – SOAWR Secretariat
Tel +254-20-2719832; +254-20-2719913
Fax.+254-20-2719868
Email: [email protected]