4th mai 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 the women and girls’ rights situation on the continent.

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.

Explore more resources

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Advancing digital rights and legal reforms to end technology-facilitated gender-based violence and protect women and girls in Southern Africa

Equality Now and AUDRi, in partnership with the Southern Africa Youth Forum, co-hosted a side event on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) at the Southern Africa People’s Summit on 16 August 2025 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The discussion centred on how advancing digital rights for women, girls, and other marginalised groups through legal reforms can help end TFGBV, with a particular focus on tackling online sexual exploitation and abuse.

Recommendations to SADC heads of State and Government on strengthening protection and support mechanisms for survivors of child marriage

Equality Now, together with the Stop Violence – Stop Child Marriage Project, YWCA Madagascar, Plan International, SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), convened a side event at the Southern Africa People’s Summit on 15 August 2025 under the theme “Strengthening Protection and Support Mechanisms for Survivors of Child Marriage.”

The state of gender equality in the US: A Universal Periodic Review shadow report

This shadow report outlines how the U.S. is failing to meet international human rights obligations on sex equality, child marriage, FGM/C, and online sexual abuse, urging action ahead of its 2025 Universal Periodic Review.

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