8th October 2026
Where you’ll find Equality Now at the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Dakar, Senegal
7 min read
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The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) is a key institution within the African Union responsible for promoting and protecting human rights across the African continent. Its Ordinary Sessions, held biannually, play a crucial role in advancing the human rights agenda in Africa.
During the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Dakar, Senegal, Equality Now will host side events, read our statement, engage in submitted shadow reports review, and host side events.
Here is where you can find us.
Defining a Positive Cultural Context: Women’s Rights and the Rise of Anti-Rights Movements in Africa
Article 17 of the Maputo Protocol provides for women’s right to live in a positive cultural context and the right to participate in the determination of cultural policies, moving beyond seeing women as merely beneficiaries of cultural protection and recognising them as individuals who contribute to the creation, interpretation, and transformation of culture.
The Centre for Human Rights (University of Pretoria), Equality Now and SOAWR will convene a panel discussion, bringing together experts and practitioners to discuss the impact of regressive women’s rights movements on Article 17, in light of the growing prevalence of anti-rights movements, and the pivotal role of Article 17.
Date: 12th October 2026
Time: 13:00 – 15:00 GMT
Location: King Fahd Palace Hôtel (Dakar, Senegal)
Strengthening CSO Resilience in the Face of Rising Anti-Rights and Anti-Gender Pushback to End Harmful Practices
Convened by Equality Now, Amref Health Africa and End FGM/C Network Africa, this side event will examine the growing anti-rights and anti-gender backlash threatening progress towards ending harmful practices such as FGM/C and child, early and forced marriage.
The discussion will bring together civil society, human rights defenders and other stakeholders to share practical strategies for strengthening resilience, countering backlash and advancing accountability through strategic litigation, digital advocacy, coalition-building and regional and continental mechanisms.
Date: 12th October 2026
Time: 12:30 – 14:00 GMT
Location: Sama Hotel (Salle Casamance), Dakar, Senegal
Analysis of the gender responsiveness of the AU Nationality Protocol
Convened by Equality Now and the SOAWR Coalition on the margins of the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, this side event will present findings on an analysis of the gender responsiveness of the AU Nationality Protocol.
The AU Nationality Protocol provides for equality in acquiring, transmitting, changing, and retaining nationality for men and women, embedding gender equality within a broader non-discrimination and statelessness-prevention framework. However, it has some limitations on gender responsiveness, such as clawback clauses on the grounds of national legislation, national security, public order, and an explicit provision on conferment of nationality to foreign spouses on an equal basis for both men and women.
Date: 13th October 2026
Time: 13:00 – 15:00 GMT
Location: Sama Hotel (Dakar, Senegal)
Transportation will be provided from King Fahd to Sama Hotel and back. Transportation will leave King Fahd at 1:00 pm (GMT). Lunch will be provided.
Promising Practices in Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Africa
This side event during the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights showcases promising practices and specialised mechanisms drawn from ten African countries to close the gap between progressive legal frameworks and effective, survivor-centred access to justice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Building on
Equality Now’s research (Barriers to Justice: Rape in Africa, law, practice and access to justice), the Nairobi Principles on specialised courts and mechanisms, the Africa Political Statement, and alignment with the Maputo Protocol and Niamey Guidelines, the event engages ACHPR Commissioners, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, states, and practitioners to share lessons, address barriers (including technology-facilitated GBV), and advance domestication, implementation, and monitoring of regional standards.
Date: 14th October 2026
Time: Afternoon (preceded by a closed-door morning technical meeting)
Location: King Fahd Hotel (Dakar, Senegal)
Let us know you’re coming
If you are attending ACHPR, we would welcome the opportunity to connect.
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