SOAWR Voices On The Maputo Protocol

As we commemorate this milestone, we’re delighted to bring you an exclusive insight into the voices that shaped this journey, from pioneering trailblazers to the rising leaders of tomorrow. Read more on their reflections and aspirations, and trace the indomitable spirit that propels the advocacy for women’s rights, encapsulated in the legacy of the Maputo Protocol.

We are also pleased to share the 20 for 20 Maputo Protocol Celebration Memoir by Equality Now that highlights voices from Heads of State, Ministers and young women from the first states that breathed life into the Maputo Protocol through ratification!

The story of Maputo: 20 years of Advocacy

Two decades have passed since the inception of the Maputo Protocol, and in a riveting high-level panel discussion moderated by Kenyan journalist Janet Mbugua, we delved into SOAWR’s narrative of the protocol’s evolution. Through shared learning and experiences, we gain a profound understanding of the last two decades. The panel featured prominent figures, including United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights Justice Navanethem Pillay, FEMNET’s Executive Director Memory Kachambwa, Centre for Human Rights Women’s Rights Unit Programme Manager Matilda Lasseko–Phooko, Make Every Woman Count Executive Director Rainatou Sow, and Equality Now Associate Program Associate Marion Ogeto. Explore the key takeaways from their insights below.

“After 20 years, so much progress has been made, and so many women have places in the government because they have the power to drive the changes for us. I challenge SOAWR to do much more on the economic rights of women.” UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, Justice Navanethem Pillay.

Now that the baby (Maputo)is 20 years old, we have to commit resources. University education is not cheap. We have to commit resources so that the baby gets the best education. When the baby graduates, it is able to give back and becomes relevant -Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa– Hon. Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie.

“There are many policies and laws that have been happening over the last 20 years that we need to acknowledge them and their best practices, examining how they have helped advance women’s rights in Africa.’’  Rainatou Sow, Make Every Woman Count Executive Director.

“Feminist movements have been at the core of driving the Maputo Protocol. Our foremothers who came before us were looking for alternatives and sought gender justice against the status quo, and in the long run, this resulted in the Maputo Protocol.” Memory Kachambwa, FEMNET’s Executive Director.

“Community involvement is very important in the conversation of the feminist movement. We really need to own it up.”  NanaHemaa Awindor -Executive Director, OBAAPA Development Foundation.

“We are at a point where we get a chance and take a break, to lift our head from the struggle that we do on a day-to-day basis, take stock of the gains that we have made in the feminist movement and yet remember those for whom the protocol is meant to make an impact on are not reading the Maputo Protocol in black and white – Matilda Lasseko –Phooko, Centre for Human Rights Women’s Rights Unit Programme Manager.

“We must endeavour to tell better stories. It is through these stories that transformation occurs. Just look at what MTV Shuga was able to achieve.” Buky Williams, Akina Mama wa Afrika .

“The Maputo protocol is relevant because it addresses the plight  women in Africa encounter.” Marion Ogeto, Equality Now Associate Program Associate.

Empowering Accountability

Reporting enables a systematic evaluation of the progress made by Member States in implementing the provisions of the Maputo Protocol. 

Empowering Accountability: The Maputo Protocol Scorecard and Index Unveiled

Amidst the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol, a significant milestone was reached on the second day. The African Union launched the groundbreaking framework of the Maputo Protocol Scorecard and Index (MPSI). Crafted with the valuable support of the Africa Leadership Forum (ALF) and Plan International (PI), the MPSI stands as a remarkable addition to the toolkit aimed at bolstering accountability and assessing the strides made by Member States in realising gender equality, women’s rights, and women’s empowerment commitments enshrined in the Maputo Protocol.

Dr. Olumide Ajayi, Executive Director of the Africa Leadership Forum, presenting the Maputo Protocol Scorecard and Index.

Despite 44 Member States having ratified the Maputo Protocol, only nine have submitted reports on their implementation progress. Strikingly, thirteen Member States have yet to ratify the protocol, citing concerns around women and girls’ rights to sexual and reproductive health. Some have even attached reservations while ratifying the Protocol. Dr. Olumide Ajayi, Executive Director of the Africa Leadership Forum, underlined that the framework for the MPSI presents an exceptional tool for adoption by the key rights-holders in the continent and its duty-bearers (AU member states). “The framework for the Maputo Protocol scorecard and index is our own birthday gift for the African continent and AU member states that will guide them in providing an evidence-based feedback mechanism between the Member States and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.’’ 

This innovative tool is set to facilitate an evidence-based feedback mechanism between Member States and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. A comprehensive set of 226 indicators was distilled from the 25 Articles of the Maputo Protocol.

The MPSI concept assumes the role of a strategic management and planning instrument. It critically evaluates the quality and efficacy of national practices and systems concerning gender-related matters. This vantage point enables countries to holistically assess the status of their gender mainstreaming efforts, identify gaps, and evaluate the effectiveness of their practices. By fostering comprehensive analysis and enhancing visibility, the MPSI aspires to illuminate the intricacies of African women’s concerns and aspirations.

Learn more about the African Union’s Maputo Protocol Scorecard and Index, MPSI, here. 

 The Nairobi Call to Action

In pursuit of propelling gender equality and women’s empowerment to new heights, the recent MaputoAt20 Celebrations in Nairobi unveiled the resounding Nairobi Call to Action. With a focal theme of “Accelerating Promises for African Women and Girls,” the Call to Action resonates with AU member states, civil society, policymakers, international partners, and communities. Read on as we delve into the core sentiments of this profound call. 

Paving the Path for Progress: The Nairobi Call to Action 

The Nairobi Call to Action on the Maputo Protocol identifies key strategies and commitments urgently required for closing the implementation gap of the Maputo Protocol as envisioned in the main theme of the conference, which was centred on Accelerating Promises for African Women and Girls. The call to action reaches out to AU member states, civil society, policymakers, international strategic partners, and communities. It was read out by Ms. Lehau Victoria Maloka, HOD Coordination and Outreach, WGYD, African Union Commission.

Ms. Lehau Victoria Maloka, HOD Coordination and Outreach, WGYD, African Union Commission.

To the Member States:

1. Urge the 11 AU member states that have not ratified the protocol to do so and those who have ratified to domesticate and implement and for relevant state parties to withdraw their reservations.
2. Request state parties to the Maputo Protocol to report to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights as per provisions of Article 26 of the Maputo Protocol.
3. Accelerate the implementation of agreed legal institutions, policy frameworks, and protocols related to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
4. Commit to allocate internal financial resources to provide adequate support to the women’s rights agenda.
5. Ensure the implementation of the provisions of the declaration and call to action of the two men’s conferences held respectively in Kinshasa in 2021 and Dakar in 2022.
6. Scale up efforts to end violence against women and girls in Africa, including the adoption of AU’s convention on ending Violence Against Women in Africa.
7. Accelerate the implementation of the roadmap on the African Women’s Decade on Financial and Economic Inclusion, AWDFE 2020 -2030 and deliver on commitments to increase the role and leadership of women in decision-making spheres at all levels of governance.
8. Create conducive conditions for intergenerational dialogues with the youth to enhance their participation in the respect, promotion and protection of women’s rights.

To the Africa Union Commission:

1. Steer the year-long celebrations of the 20^th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol from 11^th -10^th July 2024 with the aim to amplify advocacy to reach out to grassroots communities and make each and every woman aware of their rights.
2. Create a platform for dialogue and interphase between stakeholders representing policies, partnerships and people discussing shared values, goals and aspirations for taking the work of the Maputo Protocol.
3. Strengthen reporting and accountability mechanisms to hold leaders to deliver on commitments through the implementation of the Maputo Protocol Scorecard and Framework Index.
4. Enhance the role of women in the implementation of the African agenda to silencing guns by 2030, keeping in mind that women and girls suffer differently from the effects of conflict in Africa.
5. Mobilise partnerships to implement the women and youth financial and economic inclusion initiative and catalyse youth engagement.

To the African Civil Society Organizations:

1. Mobilise grassroots women and girls, civil society organisations, media and other key actors to popularise the provisions of the Maputo Protocol.
2. Reinvigorate the commitment of women of Africa to leave no woman behind in the transformation of Africa into an inclusive and citizen-centred continent.
3. Mobilise men as equal partners in the respect, promotion and protection of women’s human rights in Africa.

To the UN agencies and International Strategic Partners

1. Strengthen partnerships in support of the advancement of women’s rights in Africa with a special focus on reaching out to women in grassroots communities.
2. Continue to mobilise financial and other resources to scale up actions for the respect, promotion and protection of women’s rights in Africa.
3. Convene a special session on Maputo at the 54^th session of the Human Rights Council and the 68^th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

Celebrating Trailblazers

Women’s leadership in Africa is a longstanding tradition. Across history, women have played pivotal roles as problem solvers, leading in various capacities, from pre-colonial military leadership to post-conflict transition and navigating contemporary crises. As Africa charts its course ahead, tapping into women’s knowledge, skills, and talents is vital for reclaiming the continent’s future across all levels of problem-solving.

Women’s leadership in Africa is a longstanding tradition. Across history, women have played pivotal roles as problem solvers, leading in various capacities, from pre-colonial military leadership to post-conflict transition and navigating contemporary crises. As Africa charts its course ahead, tapping into women’s knowledge, skills, and talents is vital for reclaiming the continent’s future across all levels of problem-solving.