27th May 2026

Kenya Joint Shadow Report on the implementation of the Maputo Protocol

Achieve legal equality Kenya

Quick Links

This joint stakeholders’ shadow report, submitted to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on 15th April 2026, assesses Kenya’s implementation of the Maputo Protocol and highlights persistent barriers to gender equality. The report examines gaps in protection from gender-based violence, access to justice, reproductive rights, political participation, family law, and the rights of marginalised women and girls.

It calls for urgent legal and policy reforms to strengthen accountability, protect survivors, and ensure women and girls in Kenya can fully enjoy their rights and freedoms. 

Partners included in the shadow report: Akina Mama wa Afrika, Ageing Concern Foundation, CREAW, COVAW, FIDA Kenya, Ipas Africa Alliance, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Refugee Consortium of Kenya, KELIN, Ubani Trust, Validity Foundation, Zamara Foundation, and Equality Now.

What’s inside the publication?

  • Analysis of Kenya’s implementation of the Maputo Protocol and gaps in protecting the rights of women and girls
  • Findings on gender-based violence, including femicide, domestic violence, and female genital mutilation
  • Review of barriers to reproductive health, abortion rights, and access to justice
  • Assessment of discrimination in marriage, inheritance, political participation, and economic rights
  • Recommendations and questions directed to the African Commission and the Government of Kenya

Who’s it for?

  • African Union institutions and human rights mechanisms
  • National governments and policymakers
  • Civil society organisations and women’s rights advocates
  • National Human Rights Institutions 
  • Legal practitioners and human rights experts

Download your file

Key takeaways and recommendations

  • Criminalise marital rape and strengthen protections against tech-facilitated gender-based violence
  • Improve access to justice, legal aid, and survivor support services
  • Address discrimination in marriage, child marriage, and matrimonial property rights
  • Increase access to reproductive healthcare and sexual and reproductive health information
  • Strengthen protections for marginalised groups, including refugee women, widows, older women, and women with disabilities

About

27 May 2026

Languages

EN

Classification

Reports
Achieve legal equality
Kenya

More information

For more information, contact programs@equalitynow.org

Explore more resources

1

2

3

26 May 2026

33 pages

Good practices on compensation for victims/survivors of sexual violence in South Asia

A regional analysis of compensation frameworks for survivors of sexual violence in six South Asian countries, with good practices and recommendations to strengthen access to justice.

Read more +

EN

Reports End sexual violence Asia and the Pacific

11 May 2026

38 pages

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

A practical advocacy framework by the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa in collaboration with Equality Now and the SOAWR Coalition, raising awareness on and encouraging states to withdraw reservations to the Maputo Protocol and ensure full protection of women’s rights across Africa.

Read more +

EN

FR

PT

Reports Achieve legal equality Africa

13 April 2026

70 pages

Exploring the interlinkages between child marriage and family laws in South Asia

Equality Now’s report examines how gaps in child marriage and family laws across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives expose girls to harm and require urgent legal reform.

Read more +

EN

Reports End harmful practices Asia and the Pacific

Newsletter Sign-up

Make a donation

I want to donate