· Human Rights
A twelve-month plan for civil society to lift a reservation
RFLD’s report gives women’s organisations a month-by-month plan to push for withdrawal of a Maputo Protocol reservation, with a checklist to track it.
The RFLD Newsroom · News, analysis, field notesLa salle de presse du RFLD · Actualités, analyses, notes de terrain
Dispatches from a network of 1,143 women-led organisationsLes nouvelles d’un réseau de 1 143 organisations dirigées par des femmes
Reporting, analysis and field notes from members in more than 35 African countries, on women’s rights, SRHR, civic space, climate justice, peace and security. Articles appear in the language they were written in.Reportages, analyses et notes de terrain de nos membres dans plus de 35 pays africains, sur les droits des femmes, la DSSR, l’espace civique, la justice climatique, la paix et la sécurité. Les articles paraissent dans leur langue de rédaction.
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· Human Rights
What parliamentarians can do to lift Maputo Protocol reservations
Parliaments can question ministers and change the laws behind reservations. RFLD’s country briefs give each parliament a specific ask.
· Human Rights
What national human rights institutions can do about reservations
National human rights institutions can give an independent view on Maputo Protocol reservations. RFLD’s report sets out a role for them in each State.
· Human Rights
The reporting calendar: when each State faces the African Commission
Each State report to the African Commission is a chance to raise reservations. RFLD’s report maps the next reporting moment for all nine States.
· Human Rights
The African Commission’s Advocacy Framework on reservations, explained
In 2026 the African Commission adopted a framework to get States to withdraw Maputo Protocol reservations. Here is what it asks of each AU body.
· Human Rights
Reservations on marriage and family rights in the Maputo Protocol
Six of the nine States holding reservations to the Maputo Protocol limit Article 6 on marriage. RFLD’s report maps the pattern and the way forward.
· Human Rights
Article 14: the Maputo Protocol’s most reserved article
Seven of the nine States with reservations or declarations limit Article 14 of the Maputo Protocol on health and reproductive rights in some way.
· Human Rights
Four arguments that apply to every Maputo Protocol reservation
Every reservation to the Maputo Protocol has its own story, yet four legal arguments apply across all nine States. RFLD’s report sets them out.
· Human Rights
Withdrawals that worked: lessons for the Maputo Protocol
Reservations to the Maputo Protocol have been withdrawn before. RFLD’s report draws four lessons from past withdrawals for today’s advocates.
· Human Rights
Types of reservation to the Maputo Protocol and how to answer each
States give different reasons for their reservations to the Maputo Protocol. RFLD’s report sorts them by type and pairs each with a counter-argument.
· Human Rights
Reservation or declaration? The test that decides
Some States call their statements on the Maputo Protocol declarations. The test applied by the African Commission looks at their effect, whatever the label.
· Human Rights
Namibia’s temporary reservation and customary marriage registration
Namibia holds a single, openly temporary reservation to the Maputo Protocol. RFLD’s brief sets out the last step needed to withdraw it.
· Human Rights
South Africa’s protective reservations to the Maputo Protocol
South Africa’s reservations aim to keep its own law more favourable to women. RFLD’s brief explains why Article 31 makes them unnecessary.
· Human Rights
The Sahrawi Republic’s reservations to the Maputo Protocol
The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic holds the broadest reservations of the nine States. Its own Constitution offers a basis for review.
· Human Rights
Algeria’s reservations to the Maputo Protocol: whole articles, no reasons
Algeria reserved entire articles of the Maputo Protocol on marriage and health without giving reasons. RFLD’s brief asks for a review.
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A short summary of results, open calls and partnership opportunities across the network, in English or French. Journalists can find our boilerplate and approved facts in the press kit.Un court résumé des résultats, des appels ouverts et des possibilités de partenariat dans le réseau, en français ou en anglais. Les journalistes trouveront notre présentation type et nos chiffres approuvés dans le kit presse.
John Gbenagnon
Director of Strategy and DevelopmentDirecteur de la stratégie et du développement
gbenagnon.john@rflgd.org
Funder briefingNote aux bailleurs