AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
In a historic move towards gender equality, the African Union has adopted the 'African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls' (AU CEVAWG) during its 38th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15-16, 2025. This groundbreaking convention aims at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls across the continent, reaffirming Africa's commitment to safeguarding human dignity and promoting gender justice.
The AU CEVAWG builds upon existing frameworks such as the 'Maputo Protocol' , which outlines state responsibilities for protecting women's rights. It emphasizes a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of violence, enhancing legal protections, and fostering a culture of respect for women's rights. Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa,
Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, highlighted the need for swift ratification and implementation of the convention to translate commitments into meaningful protections for women and girls.
Ending Sexual Violence Advisor at Equality Now, said, 'Paul Murunga said the AU Convention on EVAWG is a welcome development from the AU and if anything an indication of the AU’s commitment on EVAWG. While as a Gender Justice Champion I would have loved for the Convention to be stronger in language on certain issues affecting African women and girls such as Sexual harassment, rape, teenage pregnancies, economic violence, SRHR and Gender responsive budgeting etc. I am still glad that the Maputo protocol still provides a stronger commitment and language on some of these issues and more. We hope both documents will be enforced side by side and state reporting will be complementary.
Our recent report on rape revealed a weak implementation of the Maputo protocol and other legislation on sexual violence at national levels.
I call for the full implementation of these instruments at national
levels so that African women and girls can enjoy their rights fully'.
Local Human Rights lawyer at Jeremia Attorneys, Mishingo Jeremia said,
'There are laws against violence of any kind, including domestic violence, or the so-called gender-based violence. Beyond ratifying and domesticating international protocols, our weakness is in enforcement of existing laws. There is no justice for victims of this violence. Cases take too long to be tried in our courts, leading to almost every perpetrator being granted bail at some point. This is where the weakness is. We need to reform the Criminal Justice system, and this includes capacitating investigators and having an efficient administration of justice'.