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 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.

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Submission to the OAS Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities

Joint submission to the OAS Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (CEDDIS) by Equality Now, Disability Rights International, Caribe Afirmativo, and Colectivo de Vida Independiente, highlighting barriers to justice for survivors of sexual violence with disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Equality Now Interventions at the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Equality Now calls for full implementation of the Maputo Protocol, protection of reproductive and family rights, justice for survivors, and action on sexual exploitation, trafficking, and FGM across Africa.

Advancing digital rights and legal reforms to end technology-facilitated gender-based violence and protect women and girls in Southern Africa

Equality Now and AUDRi, in partnership with the Southern Africa Youth Forum, co-hosted a side event on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) at the Southern Africa People’s Summit on 16 August 2025 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The discussion centred on how advancing digital rights for women, girls, and other marginalised groups through legal reforms can help end TFGBV, with a particular focus on tackling online sexual exploitation and abuse.

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