In August 2022, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted a dedicated continental standard on online violence against women. RFLD’s report Online violence against women in West and Central Africa 2026 uses this text, Resolution 522, as a benchmark for national action. This article explains what it says and why it matters.
Adoption and legal basis
Resolution 522 (LXXII) 2022, on the protection of women against digital violence in Africa, was adopted on 2 August 2022. The Commission held its 72nd Ordinary Session virtually from 19 July to 2 August 2022.
The preamble relies on the Maputo Protocol. It cites Article 1, which defines violence against women, and Article 3, on the right to dignity. The report suggests that Article 4, on the right to life, integrity and security of the person, and Article 9, on political participation, are also relevant to online abuse.
What the resolution asks of states
The operative part contains nine calls to states. In summary, states should:
- enact laws on all forms of digital violence, extending definitions of gender-based violence to cyber-harassment and cyberstalking, among other forms;
- conduct studies and adjust crime statistics to identify gaps in law and policy;
- run awareness campaigns aimed at men and boys;
- widen women’s access to digital and technology education, and close the digital gender gap;
- train police, health workers, justice officials and judges;
- facilitate cooperation between law enforcement and service providers to identify perpetrators and gather evidence, in line with data protection standards;
- adopt victim-centred, gender-sensitive policies;
- provide security training and media literacy for women journalists;
- repeal overly broad surveillance laws that increase women journalists’ vulnerability.
Why paragraph 9 stands out
The last call links online violence against women to the misuse of cybercrime and surveillance laws. The report finds that broad offences such as defamation or “false news” can be used against women journalists and human rights defenders. Resolution 522 recognises that protecting women online also means restraining state power.
How well is it known?
In April 2025 the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) described Resolution 522 as “underutilised and largely unknown”. RFLD’s review of national laws supports this view. Among the countries reviewed, only three explicitly criminalise the sharing of intimate images without consent. Few publish crime statistics broken down by sex.
Using the resolution
Resolution 522 is soft law. It is not a treaty, and it does not need ratification. Its strength lies in how it is used, and there are several ways to use it:
- The African Commission can ask states, during the examination of their periodic reports, how they have implemented Resolution 522.
- Civil society can cite it in shadow reports, alongside the Maputo Protocol articles it relies on.
- National advocates can use its nine calls as a checklist for law reform and police training.
- Parliamentarians can refer to it when cybercrime or data protection bills come before them.
The report also asks the Commission to consider a General Comment on digital violence against women under Articles 3 and 4 of the Maputo Protocol. A General Comment would give states more detailed guidance on what the Protocol requires online.
Part of a wider framework
Resolution 522 sits alongside other African standards. The 2019 Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa calls for universal and affordable internet access in Principle 37. In Principle 39, it asks internet intermediaries to be transparent about content removal requests. The AU Convention on Ending Violence against Women and Girls, adopted in 2025, refers to cyberbullying and harassment in digital spaces. Together these texts give advocates a solid continental basis.
The follow-up study
In 2024 the Commission adopted Resolution 591, which mandated a continental study on digital violence against women. RFLD’s report calls for that study to be published and to include primary data from West and Central Africa.
For guidance on preparing shadow reports under the Maputo Protocol, see RFLD’s manual on shadow reports. The report summary lists all recommendations to the Commission.
About the report
This article draws on RFLD’s report Online violence against women in West and Central Africa 2026, published on 4 October 2026. Read the summary, download the English edition or the French edition.
