Addis Ababa, July 15, 2023 (FBC) – The African Union Commission has kicked off a series of activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and peoples Rights on the Rights of women in Africa on the advancements of women rights on the continent in the last 20 years with focus on the achievements, existing and emerging challenges, and opportunities to accelerate the implementation of commitments to women and girls.
As of July 2023, forty-four (44) member states had ratified the Protocol, eleven (11) states are yet to ratify, three years after the commitment to a universal ratification by 2020.
These are Botswana, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Madagascar, Morocco, Niger, Somalia and Sudan.
Lead by the African Union Commission Directorate of Women, Gender and Youth, the commemorative activities kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya setting the momentum for the year-long activities that will provide a catalytic approach to ensure the rights of women across the continent are respected.
While recognizing the tremendous achievements by women’s rights movements on the continent, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission called on all the stakeholders to remain relentless in strengthening the gender equality.
Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, observed that the 20th anniversary is yet another opportunity to amplify the voices of women, particularly those whose rights remain neglected in the gender rights process. “
Awa Ndiaye Seck, UN Women Special Representative to the African Union and UNECA, noted that the ratification of the Maputo Protocol by the 44 Member States is a powerful demonstration of political will, a willingness to acknowledge that there are inequalities and that it is the responsibility of government to ensure that gender gaps as a result of inequality, are bridged.
During the two-day meeting, the African Union also launched the African Women’s Decade on Financial and Economic Inclusion (AWD-FEI) 2020-2030 Roadmap.