African Female Leaders urge Implementation & Domestication of Maputo Protocol to Advance Women's Rights

Female leaders from various African nations have called upon political leaders across the continent to sign, ratify, domesticate, and execute the Maputo Protocol, a groundbreaking instrument that aims to define and protect the rights of women and girls. The leaders made this plea during the 3rd FEMNET AGYW Festival Signature, currently taking place in Nairobi.

The protocol, also known as the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, was ratified by African states two decades ago. Presently, 44 out of the 55 African nations have ratified the protocol. However, the female leaders emphasized that having the protocol at the regional level alone is insufficient, stressing the vital need for its domestication to ensure its influence on the lives of African women and girls.

The AU Special Rapporteur on Women in Africa, Honourable Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, emphasized the importance of fully ratifying and implementing the protocol. Commissioner Sallah-Njie asserted that African Heads of State had previously made a solemn commitment to achieving gender equality, but the protocol's implementation remains incomplete.

During the event, Mary Wandia Wanjiru from Co-Impact, a worldwide philanthropy partnership for systems change, highlighted the lack of political will hindering the implementation of the third gender rule. While acknowledging progress made under Kenya's 2010 Constitution, which recognizes women as citizens with various rights, Wanjiru noted the challenges in translating these rights into practical implementation. She pointed out the failure of previous administrations to enforce the two-thirds gender rule, citing a lack of political will.

Commissioner Sallah-Njie acknowledged that some member nations have passed laws, regulations, and policies to address gender equality as outlined in the Maputo Protocol. However, she stressed the need for further improvement and called for system changes in institutions, structures, and infrastructure to facilitate the implementation of women's rights. For instance, she emphasized the establishment of legislation, regulations, and support organizations to combat violence against women, including safe homes for psychosocial assistance. Sallah-Njie highlighted the importance of adequate funding to ensure women can benefit from the rights guaranteed by the protocol.

The AU Rapporteur also pointed out the inadequacy of resources allocated to the gender ministry in Africa. She urged an increase in gender budget allocations across the continent and emphasized the need to follow through on commitments to effectively implement these regulations, highlighting the necessity of financial investments.

The plea from female leaders at the 3rd FEMNET AGYW Festival Signature underscores the importance of implementing and domesticating the Maputo Protocol to address the core issues affecting women and girls in Africa. The call for action aims to ensure gender equality, protect women's rights, and promote meaningful change throughout the continent.