4th مايو 2022

Statements to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights – 71st Session, May 2022

Equality Now’s statement during the 71st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights made note of important trends and developments on women’s and girls’ rights on the continent.

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Key recommendations

These include the need for proper funding and political goodwill towards efforts to domesticate and implement the Maputo Protocol; the need for adoption and enforcement of specific laws prohibiting FGM; and the growing prevalence of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse in Africa.

Additionally, Equality Now’s statement addressed Kenya’s state report, which was considered during the 71st Ordinary Session of the ACHPR, covering its implementation of the Maputo Protocol. While we commend Kenya for issuing its first report on the Protocol, we remain concerned that many of the policies, laws, and institutions in place have not been as effective in upholding women’s rights as intended.

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Intervention on the Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons

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.

Mexico – CEDAW submission on sexual violence, access to justice, and gender budget cuts

Civil society submission to CEDAW highlights budget cuts, weak justice systems, and gaps in legal frameworks affecting survivors of sexual violence in Mexico.

Tajikistan – Joint submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 53rd Session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council

UPR submission on Tajikistan addressing violence against women and girls, child and forced marriage, disability inclusion, legal reform, and survivor-centred protections.

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