DƆNÙESÈ Data Center / Women’s Rights Laws by Country
DƆNÙESÈ Data Center · Country law profiles
Women’s Rights Laws by Country
Country profiles for 40 States in West, Central and Southern Africa. Each profile sets out the status of 29 African Union treaties and other international treaties the State has accepted, its constitution, its national laws on violence, marriage, family, land, health and political participation, and the laws that shape civic space for women’s organisations and human rights defenders. Every entry links to its source.
40country profiles
17law topics tracked per country
11treaties tracked per country
Oct 2026last verification
West Africa
BeninMaputo Protocol: ratified 2005Burkina FasoMaputo Protocol: ratified 2006Cabo VerdeMaputo Protocol: ratified 2005Côte d’IvoireMaputo Protocol: ratified 2011GhanaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2007GuineaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2012Guinea-BissauMaputo Protocol: ratified 2008LiberiaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2007MaliMaputo Protocol: ratified 2005NigerMaputo Protocol: not ratifiedNigeriaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2004SenegalMaputo Protocol: ratified 2004Sierra LeoneMaputo Protocol: ratified 2015The GambiaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2005TogoMaputo Protocol: ratified 2005
Central Africa
BurundiMaputo Protocol: not ratifiedCameroonMaputo Protocol: ratified 2012Central African RepublicMaputo Protocol: ratified 2025ChadMaputo Protocol: not ratifiedDemocratic Republic of the CongoMaputo Protocol: ratified 2008Equatorial GuineaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2009GabonMaputo Protocol: ratified 2011Republic of the CongoMaputo Protocol: ratified 2011RwandaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2004São Tomé and PríncipeMaputo Protocol: ratified 2019
Southern Africa
AngolaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2007BotswanaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2023ComorosMaputo Protocol: ratified 2004EswatiniMaputo Protocol: ratified 2012LesothoMaputo Protocol: ratified 2004MadagascarMaputo Protocol: not ratifiedMalawiMaputo Protocol: ratified 2005MauritiusMaputo Protocol: ratified 2017MozambiqueMaputo Protocol: ratified 2005NamibiaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2004SeychellesMaputo Protocol: ratified 2006South AfricaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2004TanzaniaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2007ZambiaMaputo Protocol: ratified 2006ZimbabweMaputo Protocol: ratified 2008
Compare the 40 countries
| Country | Region | Maputo Protocol | CEDAW Optional Protocol | Women in parliament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benin | West Africa | ratified 2005 | party | 25.7% (2026) |
| Burkina Faso | West Africa | ratified 2006 | party | 19.0% (2026) |
| Cabo Verde | West Africa | ratified 2005 | party | 47.2% (2026) |
| Côte d’Ivoire | West Africa | ratified 2011 | party | 14.9% (2025) |
| Ghana | West Africa | ratified 2007 | party | 14.5% (2026) |
| Guinea | West Africa | ratified 2012 | not ratified | 40.8% (2026) |
| Guinea-Bissau | West Africa | ratified 2008 | party | being verified |
| Liberia | West Africa | ratified 2007 | not ratified | 11.0% (2026) |
| Mali | West Africa | ratified 2005 | party | 30.1% (2026) |
| Niger | West Africa | not ratified | party | being verified |
| Nigeria | West Africa | ratified 2004 | party | being verified |
| Senegal | West Africa | ratified 2004 | party | being verified |
| Sierra Leone | West Africa | ratified 2015 | not ratified | being verified |
| The Gambia | West Africa | ratified 2005 | not ratified | 8.6% (2022) |
| Togo | West Africa | ratified 2005 | not ratified | being verified |
| Angola | Southern Africa | ratified 2007 | party | 41.4% (2025) |
| Burundi | Central Africa | not ratified | not ratified | 39.6% (2025) |
| Cameroon | Central Africa | ratified 2012 | party | 33.9% (2026) |
| Central African Republic | Central Africa | ratified 2025 | being verified | 11.4% (2026) |
| Chad | Central Africa | not ratified | not ratified | 33.5% (2026) |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Central Africa | ratified 2008 | not ratified | 12.8% (2026) |
| Equatorial Guinea | Central Africa | ratified 2009 | party | 31.0% (2026) |
| Gabon | Central Africa | ratified 2011 | party | 21.6% (2026) |
| Republic of the Congo | Central Africa | ratified 2011 | not ratified | 14.6% (2026) |
| Rwanda | Central Africa | ratified 2004 | party | 63.8% (2026) |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | Central Africa | ratified 2019 | party | 14.6% (2026) |
| Botswana | Southern Africa | ratified 2023 | party | 9.0% (2026) |
| Comoros | Southern Africa | ratified 2004 | not ratified | 18.2% (2026) |
| Eswatini | Southern Africa | ratified 2012 | not ratified | being verified |
| Lesotho | Southern Africa | ratified 2004 | party | being verified |
| Madagascar | Southern Africa | not ratified | not ratified | being verified |
| Malawi | Southern Africa | ratified 2005 | not ratified | being verified |
| Mauritius | Southern Africa | ratified 2017 | party | being verified |
| Mozambique | Southern Africa | ratified 2005 | party | 38.0% (2026) |
| Namibia | Southern Africa | ratified 2004 | party | 42.3% (2026) |
| Seychelles | Southern Africa | ratified 2006 | party | 26.5% (2026) |
| South Africa | Southern Africa | ratified 2004 | party | 45.1% (2026) |
| Tanzania | Southern Africa | ratified 2007 | being verified | 37.6% (2025) |
| Zambia | Southern Africa | ratified 2006 | being verified | being verified |
| Zimbabwe | Southern Africa | ratified 2008 | being verified | 30.1% (2024) |
African Union treaties at a glance
Year of ratification, signature only, or no action, as recorded in the official African Union status lists (list dates between 2017 and May 2026; see each country page for the list date and 20 further AU treaties).
| Country | Maputo Protocol | African Charter | Children’s Charter | African Court Protocol | ACDEG | Convention on Violence against Women and Girls | Disability Protocol | Corruption Convention | Malabo Convention |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benin | 2005 | 1986 | 1997 | 2014 | 2012 | No | No | 2007 | 2024 |
| Burkina Faso | 2006 | 1984 | 1992 | 1998 | 2010 | No | 2025 | 2005 | No |
| Cabo Verde | 2005 | 1987 | 1993 | No | 2023 | No | No | No | 2020 |
| Côte d’Ivoire | 2011 | 1992 | 2002 | 2003 | 2013 | No | No | 2012 | 2023 |
| Ghana | 2007 | 1989 | 2005 | 2004 | 2010 | Signed 2025 | No | 2007 | 2019 |
| Guinea | 2012 | 1982 | 1999 | Signed 2003 | 2011 | No | No | 2012 | 2018 |
| Guinea-Bissau | 2008 | 1985 | 2008 | 2021 | 2011 | No | No | 2011 | Signed 2015 |
| Liberia | 2007 | 1982 | 2007 | Signed 1998 | 2014 | Signed 2025 | No | 2007 | No |
| Mali | 2005 | 1981 | 1998 | 2000 | 2013 | No | 2021 | 2004 | No |
| Niger | Signed 2004 | 1986 | 1996 | 2004 | 2011 | No | 2023 | 2006 | 2022 |
| Nigeria | 2004 | 1983 | 2001 | 2004 | 2011 | No | 2023 | 2006 | Signed 2024 |
| Senegal | 2004 | 1982 | 1998 | 1998 | Signed 2008 | No | No | 2007 | 2016 |
| Sierra Leone | 2015 | 1983 | 2002 | Signed 1998 | 2009 | No | No | 2008 | Signed 2016 |
| The Gambia | 2005 | 1983 | 2000 | 1999 | 2018 | Signed 2025 | No | 2009 | Signed 2022 |
| Togo | 2005 | 1982 | 1998 | 2003 | 2012 | No | Signed 2019 | 2009 | 2021 |
| Angola | 2007 | 1990 | 1992 | Signed 2007 | 2021 | Signed 2025 | 2022 | 2017 | 2020 |
| Burundi | Signed 2003 | 1989 | 2004 | 2003 | Signed 2007 | Signed 2025 | 2022 | 2005 | No |
| Cameroon | 2012 | 1989 | 1997 | 2014 | 2011 | No | 2022 | 2020 | Signed 2021 |
| Central African Republic | Signed 2008 | 1986 | 2016 | Signed 2002 | 2017 | No | Signed 2018 | No | No |
| Chad | Signed 2004 | 1986 | 2000 | 2016 | 2011 | No | No | 2015 | Signed 2015 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 2008 | 1987 | 2017 | 2017 | Signed 2008 | Signed 2025 | No | 2022 | 2025 |
| Equatorial Guinea | 2009 | 1986 | 2002 | Signed 1998 | 2017 | Signed 2026 | No | 2019 | No |
| Gabon | 2011 | 1986 | 2007 | 2000 | Signed 2010 | No | Signed 2019 | 2009 | No |
| Republic of the Congo | 2011 | 1982 | 2006 | 2010 | Signed 2007 | No | 2023 | 2006 | 2020 |
| Rwanda | 2004 | 1983 | 2001 | 2003 | 2010 | No | 2022 | 2004 | 2019 |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | 2019 | 1986 | 2019 | Signed 2010 | 2019 | No | No | 2019 | 2023 |
| Botswana | No | 1986 | 2001 | Signed 1998 | No | No | No | 2014 | No |
| Comoros | 2004 | 1986 | 2004 | 2003 | 2016 | No | No | 2004 | Signed 2018 |
| Eswatini | 2012 | 1995 | 2012 | Signed 2004 | Signed 2008 | No | No | Signed 2004 | No |
| Lesotho | 2004 | 1992 | 1999 | 2003 | 2010 | No | Signed 2024 | 2004 | 2025 |
| Madagascar | Signed 2004 | 1992 | 2005 | 2021 | 2017 | No | No | 2004 | 2025 |
| Malawi | 2005 | 1989 | 1999 | 2008 | 2012 | No | 2023 | 2007 | No |
| Mauritius | 2017 | 1992 | 1992 | 2003 | Signed 2007 | No | No | 2018 | 2018 |
| Mozambique | 2005 | 1989 | 1998 | 2004 | 2018 | No | 2022 | 2006 | 2019 |
| Namibia | 2004 | 1992 | 2004 | Signed 1998 | 2016 | No | 2023 | 2004 | 2019 |
| Seychelles | 2006 | 1992 | 1992 | Signed 1998 | 2016 | No | No | 2008 | No |
| South Africa | 2004 | 1996 | 2000 | 2002 | 2010 | No | 2023 | 2005 | Signed 2023 |
| Tanzania | 2007 | 1984 | 2003 | 2006 | No | No | No | 2005 | No |
| Zambia | 2006 | 1984 | 2008 | 2022 | 2011 | No | No | 2007 | 2020 |
| Zimbabwe | 2008 | 1986 | 1995 | Signed 1998 | 2022 | No | 2024 | 2006 | No |
What we have documented so far
Each cell shows whether this database already lists a sourced national law on the topic (dark) or whether the topic is still being verified (light). The map shows where RFLD research is complete. A light cell does not mean the country has no law.
| Country | Gender-based and domestic violence | Rape and sexual offences | Sexual harassment | Female genital mutilation | Child marriage and age of marriage | Family and personal status | Inheritance and succession | Land and property | Abortion and sexual and reproductive health | Political participation and quotas | Labour and maternity | Nationality | Trafficking | Online violence and cybercrime | Human rights defenders | Same-sex relations | Access to justice and legal aid | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benin | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | 15 |
| Burkina Faso | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | 4 |
| Cabo Verde | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 |
| Côte d’Ivoire | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| Ghana | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | . | ✓ | . | 7 |
| Guinea | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 2 |
| Guinea-Bissau | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| Liberia | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 2 |
| Mali | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 2 |
| Niger | . | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | ✓ | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | 6 |
| Nigeria | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| Senegal | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| Sierra Leone | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| The Gambia | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | 2 |
| Togo | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| Angola | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | 9 |
| Burundi | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | 3 |
| Cameroon | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 |
| Central African Republic | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | 2 |
| Chad | . | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 16 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | 2 |
| Equatorial Guinea | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | 1 |
| Gabon | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 |
| Republic of the Congo | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | 2 |
| Rwanda | . | ✓ | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | . | 7 |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | 2 |
| Botswana | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | . | ✓ | . | 6 |
| Comoros | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 1 |
| Eswatini | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| Lesotho | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| Madagascar | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| Malawi | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| Mauritius | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 |
| Mozambique | ✓ | . | ✓ | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | ✓ | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | 10 |
| Namibia | ✓ | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | 6 |
| Seychelles | ✓ | . | . | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | . | . | . | ✓ | 7 |
| South Africa | . | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | . | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | 9 |
| Tanzania | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | . | 14 |
| Zambia | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | 8 |
| Zimbabwe | ✓ | . | ✓ | . | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | . | ✓ | . | . | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | . | . | 8 |
How to use these profiles
Use them to prepare shadow reports to the African Commission, to brief members of parliament and to check which commitments a State has made before a State report examination. Our manual on shadow reports and the country briefs on lifting reservations explain how to turn these facts into advocacy.
How we verify. RFLD lists a law only when we have found it in an official text or a reliable public source, and each entry links to that source. Topics still under verification are named on each country page. Send corrections and legal texts to programs@rflgd.org.
For information and advocacy, not legal advice. Part of the DƆNÙESÈ Data Center of the Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD), a pan-African feminist network of 1,143 member organisations in more than 35 African countries.