July 31, 2024 – Pan-African Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the women who fought for the liberation and development of the African continent. It also highlights the critical role women play in our economies and societies. This year, we celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the creation of the Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO) and the 21st anniversary of the adoption of the Maputo Protocol.
The Maputo Protocol is an international legal instrument that guarantees the rights of women in Africa. It covers a wide range of areas, including:
Key Areas Covered by the Maputo Protocol:
- Economic & Social Welfare Rights:
- Right to work: Equal opportunities and treatment in employment, including fair wages, maternity leave, and protection from sexual harassment.
- Right to education: Equal access to all levels of education, eliminating gender disparities in enrollment and completion rates.
- Right to health: Access to comprehensive healthcare services, including reproductive health, maternal care, and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
- Right to social security: Protection in cases of unemployment, illness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond her control.
- Rights Related to Marriage (including Child Marriage):
- Minimum age of marriage: Prohibition of child marriage and setting the minimum age of marriage at 18 years.
- Free and full consent to marriage: Ensuring women’s right to choose their spouse without coercion or pressure.
- Equal rights in marriage: Guaranteeing equal rights and responsibilities for women and men during marriage and at its dissolution.
- Health & Reproductive Rights:
- Right to sexual and reproductive health: Access to information, education, and services related to sexual and reproductive health, including family planning.
- Right to safe abortion: Access to safe and legal abortion services under specific circumstances, such as when the pregnancy endangers the woman’s life or health.
- Protection from Violence (Including FGM):
- Prohibition of violence against women: Criminalization of all forms of violence against women, including physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse.
- Prohibition of female genital mutilation (FGM): Criminalization and eradication of FGM, recognizing it as a harmful traditional practice.
- Right to Participation in the Political & Decision-Making Process:
- Equal political rights: Right to vote and stand for election, ensuring equal representation of women in political positions.
- Participation in decision-making: Right to participate in decision-making at all levels, including in the family, community, and national government.
- Rights to Peace & Protection from Armed Conflict:
- Protection during armed conflict: Special measures to protect women and girls from the specific vulnerabilities they face during armed conflict, such as sexual violence and displacement.
- Participation in peace processes: Ensuring women’s meaningful participation in peace negotiations, conflict resolution, and post-conflict reconstruction.
- Specially Protected Women:
- Protection for marginalized women: Specific measures to protect the rights of vulnerable groups of women, such as widows, elderly women, women with disabilities, and women living with HIV/AIDS.
Despite its importance, nine African countries have not yet ratified the Maputo Protocol: Egypt, Morocco, Burundi, Chad, Eritrea, Madagascar, Niger, Somalia, and Sudan. The Network of Women Leaders for Development (RFLD) calls on these countries to ratify the protocol as a matter of urgency.
We also urge the Central African Republic to finalize its ratification process and deposit the instrument of ratification with the African Union Commission.
Source Image: SOAWR
The RFLD reiterates the importance of women’s participation in political and economic life. Women must be fully involved in decision-making processes that affect their lives and communities.
We call on African Union Member States to take concrete measures to ensure gender equality in all areas, including:
- Adoption of laws and policies promoting gender equality
- Implementation of quotas to ensure women’s representation in decision-making bodies
- Promotion of women’s sexual rights, inclusion and economic empowerment
Pan-African Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the progress made and the challenges ahead. It is also a call to action to accelerate the achievement of gender equality in Africa.
The RFLD reaffirms its commitment to working for gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa. We will continue to advocate for the ratification and implementation of the Maputo Protocol and to support initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s participation in political and economic life.
Together, we can build a better future for all women in Africa.
Network of Women Leaders for Development (RFLD)
