Modern slavery of African women continues in the form of trafficking of
women and young children to Europe and the Middle East. They are used as
sexual and work slaves in the most deplorable conditions without pay. This
has led to poverty, statelessness and the spread of sexually transmitted
infections and HIV/Aids, often through sexual violence.

The African women demanded that, in analysing the intersectionality of
gender and race governments should take on board the concerns of women with
disabilities. They called for an end to the operation of dual legal systems
in Africa - whereby constitutions discriminate on matters of religious,
customary, family and personal law. This undermines women's equality by
perpetuating harmful traditional practices such as wife inheritance,
disinheritance of widows and female genital mutilation (FGM).

The women stated that laws should grant women full citizenship rights to
pass on citizenship to their husbands and children.

On racism and economic discrimination, they stated that the link between
colonialism, imperialism and patriarchy resulted in the marginalisation of
African Women. Globalisation and structural adjustment programs have
further impoverished women as the most vulnerable group on the continent.

Racial and gender discrimination link to characterise African women as the
primary couriers of HIV/AIDS. Women as the majority of the illiterate and
poor bear the brunt of this disease through high rates of infection and as
caretakers of infected persons.

It was agreed that laws should be enacted in all African countries to
implement the outcomes of the UN World Conference against racism and other
international conventions and agreements protecting women from multiple
forms of discrimination, in particular, the international convention on the
elimination of racial Discrimination (ICERD), the Convention on the
Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

The meeting called on civil society organisations and states to eradicate
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerances. Women's
organisations must use existing legislation to protect women from all forms
of discrimination.

There is also a need to lobby and advocate for the review and repeal of
legislation, particularly the dual systems of law that undermine the
equality of men and women in Africa.

Finally, they said that mechanisms for monitoring the impact of of racism
and racial discrimination on women should be set up. This will bring out
the reality on the ground and assist in designing measures to protect women
who make up more than half of the population of the continent.

======== Global Human Rights Education listserv ========
Send mail intended for the list to
.
Archives of the list can be found at:
http://www.hrea.org/lists/hr-education/ [2]
If you have problems (un)subscribing, contact .
**You are welcome to reprint, copy, archive, quote or re-post this item,
but please retain the original and listserv source.