4th May 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 takeaways and 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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The United Nations Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls (WGDAWG) 

The United Nations Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls will visit Zimbabwe to understand issues related to discrimination against women and girls.

Kazakhstan – Information for Consideration by Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) at its Pre-Sessional Working Group in July 2025

In our submission, we detail concerns regarding laws related to sexual violence and child and forced marriage, as well as procedures and practices that effectively deny access to justice for women and girls who are survivors of sexual violence and child and forced marriage.

Intervention on the Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa

Equality Now calls for stronger implementation of the Maputo Protocol, including lifting reservations, reforming discriminatory laws, ending FGM, and ensuring State accountability.

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