Lifting Reservations on Some Provisions of the Protocol to the…

Cette newsletter de la Rapporteuse Spéciale sur les Droits des Femmes en Afrique (SRRWA) appelle les États membres de l'Union Africaine à lever les réserves sur certaines dispositions du Protocole de Maputo et à ratifier la Convention de l'UA sur l'élimination de la violence contre les femmes et les filles (AUCEVAWG), adoptée en février 2025. Elle contient des articles d'experts et d'activistes soulignant l'importance de ces actions pour la protection des droits des femmes. La publication met…

A Newsletter by the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa

October 2025

ACHPR

African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

Acknowledgement

The Office of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa (SRRWA), on behalf of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), extends its sincere gratitude to the generous support of its partners in the collation and publication of this edition of the Newsletter. This publication was made possible through the invaluable support of the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, and IPAS-Africa Alliance.

Special appreciation goes to the Editors, who support the Mechanism of the SRRWA, for their invaluable dedication in preparing this Newsletter.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to all contributors whose insights and efforts have enriched this edition. The creation of these articles, shaped by voices from across the continent, is a reminder that we are not alone. Each of us is playing a vital role in our own corner to advance this shared mission.

Dedication

This edition of the Newsletter dedicated to the Member States of the African Union (AU), urgently call upon Member States to take two critical actions: first, to ratify the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AUCEVAWG), which was adopted in February 2025; and second, for those States that have entered reservations on certain provisions of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol), to immediately withdraw them. Thereby affirming their full commitment to gender equality.

Editors

Meron Eshetu Birhanu Irene Desiree Mbengue Mosupatsila M Nare

Graphic Design

Grace Marwa-Pattison

From the Desk of the SRRWA	6
A Call for Withdrawal of Reservations on the Maputo Protocol Faiza Jama Mohamed, Africa Office Director, Equality Now	8
Lifting Reservations to the Maputo Protocol: A Crucial Step for Women's Rights Satang Nabaneh and Chianaraekpere Ike	9
Lifting Reservations to the Maputo Protocol: Africa's Test of Commitment to Women's Rights Jessica Oga, Leni Sharo, Katia Alupo, Christopher Baguma - Afya na Haki, Kampala, Uganda	11
Beyond Reservations: Unlocking the full Promise of the Maputo Protocol Brenda Gichangi, Legal Officer, African Renaissance Trust	13
Unveiling Empowerment: The Impact of Lifting Reservations to the Maputo Protocol and State Dynamics Ms. Hellen Shiro Mogeni, LLB, LLM, PhD candidate	14
Strengthening Africa's Normative Framework on Gender-Based Violence: The Promise of the AUCEVAWG Beverly Achieng Mumbo-Otieno, Human Rights Practitioner	18
Championing the AUCEVAWG: A New Dawn for Women's and Girls' Rights in Africa Bunmi Dipo-Salami, Executive Director, Baobab for Women's Human Rights (BAOBAB), Nigeria	19

Soyez alerté des prochains textes juridiques publiés (Union Africaine) : créez une alerte veille.

Lifting Reservations on Some Provisions of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa and Ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls