Advocacy framework for withdrawing reservations to some provisions of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa

The Framework emphasises that withdrawing reservations is essential to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Maputo Protocol and to advance gender equality across Africa.

Key priorities include:

• Advance full ratification and implementation without reservations: States should ratify or accede to the Maputo Protocol without reservations and prioritise the withdrawal of existing reservations to ensure women can fully exercise their rights.
• Recognise that reservations undermine rights and legal protections: Reservations that modify or exclude provisions limit access to rights related to marriage, inheritance, equality and sexual and reproductive health.
• Strengthen national processes for withdrawal of reservations: Governments should establish inclusive, participatory processes involving parliament, institutions and the public to review and withdraw reservations.
• Use reservations only as a temporary measure: Where reservations exist, treat them as interim, with clear timelines and procedures for withdrawal.
• Reject justifications based on domestic law or cultural relativism: Reservations should not be used to justify limiting universally recognised human rights.
• Enhance accountability through regional and international mechanisms: African Union institutions, human rights mechanisms, and decision-making bodies should actively monitor, review, and call for the withdrawal of reservations.
• Strengthen advocacy and evidence-based engagement: Civil society organisations should use research, data and lived experiences to drive advocacy and influence decision-making.
• Promote coordinated, multi-stakeholder action: Effective withdrawal of reservations requires collaboration between governments, regional bodies, civil society and international actors.