Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is prevalent in Africa, occurring in both public and private spheres during peacetime and war. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns exacerbated the issue, leading to a surge intimate partner violence and highlighting pre-existing gender inequalities as a cause and effect of VAWG.
To review the progress made in ending VAWG in Africa at the national and regional levels, and to identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities in advancing the rights of women and girls, Equality Now and SOAWR, in partnership with The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Union Commission (AUC) have launched our “Gender Equality and International Law in Africa: The Role of Regional Economic Communities” report.
The report aims to provide a foundation for the UNDP regional project on Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Africa, analyzing the status implementation of four Regional Economic Communities (RECs) pertaining to the three human rights instruments: CEDAW, the Maputo Protocol, and the ILO Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100).