The Africa Family Law Network is a regional strategic network working on family law in the region. It is a platform of diverse actors drawn from national and regional level, legal and justice fraternity, human rights defenders, community organisers, cultural and faith actors with a common goal to reform family laws in Africa in line with regional and international human rights Principles and Standards.
AFLN was launched on October 5, 2022, when more than 60 feminist legal advocates from 23 African countries met in Nairobi for a landmark three-day conference. Conceptualised from the urgent need to address outdated and discriminatory family laws, AFLN connects and amplifies regional and national efforts to advance justice and equality for women and girls.
Led by founding partners Equality Now, the African Women’s Development and Communication Network ( FEMNET), Musawah and the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network), AFLN is evolving into a vibrant regional platform. The founding partners contribute their unique expertise in feminist movement building, strategic research and litigation, national and regional advocacy, and knowledge building.
In a majority of African countries, statutory laws coexist with customary or traditional laws and religious laws. Instead of complementing each other, these systems often clash, creating contradictions and inconsistencies in how justice is applied. Our solution is a multisectoral approach is imperative in realising the protection of women and girls through family law reform. Our expertise in generating, curating, and tracking information on the status and progress of family law reform to facilitate the development of knowledge products for use by practitioners in this space.
Be part of our community. Our membership is now open to national and regional organisations working on family law.
Email: afln@equalfamilylaws.org
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