WOMEN IN LAW AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA (WiLDAF)

FEMMES, DROIT ET DÉVELOPPEMENT EN AFRIQUE (FeDDAF)

SUB-REGIONAL OFFICE / BUREAU SOUS-RÉGIONAL – WEST AFRICA Lomé, Togo

B.P. 7755 – Téléphone (228) 222 26 79 - Fax (228) 222 73 90

Email : [email protected] ;  Site : www.wildaf-ao.org
 

WiLDAF/FeDDAF

WASRO/BSRAO
 

--- Press Release --- Press Release --- Press Release ---

Three countries have ratified the Protocol and 14 have already signed it
in West Africa!

Lomé, Togo, 21 March 2004. The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa adopted in July 2003 in Maputo will enter into force thirty days (30) after the deposit of the 15th instrument of ratification. To March 8th, only ten (10) countries have ratified and 37 have signed it. Five precious ratifications are still missing before countries that accessed to it are obliged to implement the principles of the Protocol into their laws.

In West Africa, three (3) States members of the African Union have ratified and 14 out of the 16 countries of the sub region have signed.

Processes for the ratification is increasingly advanced in some countries. Some States ended their administrative and legislative steps but the instrument of ratification have being deposited yet officially at the African Union so it becomes effective. Benin, The Gambia and Guinea in West Africa are in this situation.

Thus, the Parliament of Gambia ratified the Protocol March 11th. Unfortunately, it made reservations on articles 5, 6, 7 and 14 which are on the elimination of harmful practices (5), marriage (6), separation, divorce and annulment of marriage (7) and health and reproductive rights (14).

In Guinea Bissau, pressures are done so the Protocol is approved and ratified at the next session of the Parliament between March 28th and April 28th. Côte d’Ivoire follows about the same path. The presentation on the Protocol was adopted normally by the Minister Council beginning of March. It will then be transmitted to the National Assembly for the April session. On February 24th, the Ministers Council of Cape-Verde adopted a communication on the Protocol. It should then be sent to the National Assembly.

Women’s groups in Niger are putting pressure so it ratifies. But we can read in a letter sent to the Prime Minister by its Justice Minister on January 26th that it won’t be easy because ‘the family law have raised a lot of debates notably by Islamic associations. The Protocol seems to include dispositions which don’t reflect our daily reality particularly about the status of person. It must be analyzed in every detail with all stakeholders.’

Our follow up committee continue the work. We will keep you informed of new development. Don’t hesitate to let us know about your action.

Yours sincerely,

 Women in Law and Development in Africa/ Femmes, Droit et Développement en Afrique (WiLDAF/FeDDAF) West Africa sub-regional office

[email protected] / [email protected]

 
To keep up to date on signatures and ratification, go to www.africa-union.org and check Treaties, conventions and Protocols etc. under Official Documents section.