ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Human Rights our Collective Responsibility
ACHPR/IR/SM/85/25
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights 85th Ordinary Session
Banjul, from 7 - 30 October 2025
Intersession Report
Presented by Honorable Commissioner Janet R. Sallah-Njie Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa
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ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Human Rights our Collective Responsibility
INTRODUCTION
- In accordance with Rules 25(3) and 64 of the Rules of Procedure (2020) of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) and in line with its Resolution ACHPR/res.38 (XXV) 99 of 5 May 1999, I present this Report in my capacity as the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa (the SRRWA). The Report also covers my activities undertaken as a Member of the Commission during the period under review.
PART ONE: ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN AS A COMMISSIONER
A. Virtual 84$^{th}$ Ordinary Session
- From 21 to 30 July 2025, I attended the Commission’s 84$^{th}$ Ordinary Session (Private), convened virtually to consider Communications, outstanding Reports, and other matters.
PART TWO: COUNTRY MONITORING
A. Djibouti, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Liberia, The Gambia
Joint Letter of Commendation and Press Statement for the Signing of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AUCEVAWG)
- On 15 July 2025, together with the Country Rapporteurs for these States, I sent a joint letter of commendation to, and issued a press statement commending, Djibouti, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Liberia, and The Gambia, recognizing their commitment to signing the AUCEVAWG.
B. Central African Republic
Joint Letter of Commendation for the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa
- On 31 July 2025, together with the Country Rapporteur for the Central African Republic (CAR), I sent a letter of appreciation commending the Government of CAR for ratifying the Maputo Protocol. CAR became the 46$^{th}$ country to do so, marking an important step towards universal ratification of the Protocol.
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ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Human Rights our Collective Responsibility
C. The Gambia
Amicus curiae brief submitted to the Supreme Court of Gambia
- In collaboration with the ACERWC and the Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG), and with technical support from the Centre for Women’s Rights at the University of Pretoria, I filed an application for amicus curiae brief before the Supreme Court of The Gambia, in a case challenging the constitutionality of the rejection to the amendment of the Women’s Act that criminalized Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).