Secure women’s rights. Transform futures.

Statement by Equality Now (Observer Status No. 281) on Agenda Item 5 of the 87th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR

As the African Commission adopts a new Advocacy Framework to strengthen implementation of the Maputo Protocol, a parallel effort to introduce a regressive Charter risks undermining decades of progress. Equality Now calls for decisive action to safeguard existing protections, ensure accountability from Member States, and work collaboratively with community leaders to advance a future where the rights of women and girls are fully realised.

Statement by Equality Now (Observer Status No. 281) on Agenda Item 5 of the 87th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR intervention on the activity report of the Special Rapporteur on refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and migrants in Africa

Equality Now’s shadow report calls for urgent reform of discriminatory nationality laws across Africa that deny women equal rights to confer citizenship to their children and spouses. These laws heighten the risk of statelessness, poverty, family separation, and violence, undermining the fundamental right to nationality.

Grounded in regional advocacy and human rights standards, the report urges African Union Member States to enshrine gender equality in nationality laws, centre affected communities in reform processes, and sign and ratify the AU Nationality Protocol without delay.

Guide to advocating for women’s rights using international human rights mechanisms

Our Guide To Advocating For Women’s Rights Using International Human Rights Mechanisms offers information on the available mechanisms and different methods of engagement at the international level