8th October 2026

Intervention on the Activity Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Internally Displaced Persons

Achieve legal equality Africa

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Summary
What’s inside the statement?
Who’s this statement for?
Key recommendations

Equality Now’s statement to the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights calls for reform of nationality laws that discriminate against women. It highlights how unequal nationality rights expose women and their families to statelessness, violence, family separation and barriers to essential services. Drawing on its gender analysis of the AU Nationality Protocol, the statement identifies gaps in protections and recommends action to ensure women can confer nationality to their children and spouses on an equal basis with men.

What’s inside the statement?

Overview of gender discrimination in nationality laws and its impact on women and their families
Gender analysis of the AU Nationality Protocol, including gaps in protections for women
Research and model legal provisions to support reform of discriminatory nationality laws
Recommendations to strengthen gender equality in the Protocol’s domestication and implementation

Who’s this statement for?

The Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa
African Union institutions and human rights mechanisms
National governments and policymakers
Civil society organisations and women’s rights advocates
Legal practitioners and human rights experts

Key recommendations

Reform discriminatory laws to guarantee women equal rights to confer nationality to children and spouses.
Develop joint regional guidance on integrating gender equality into the AU Nationality Protocol’s implementation.
Use model legal provisions to support gender-equal nationality laws.
Sign, ratify and domesticate the AU Nationality Protocol without reservations.

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5 May 2026