The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (“the Committee”) held a Technical Meeting on the Review, Analysis and Consolidation of the Initial Draft of the Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity in Africa (“the Technical Meeting”) from 8th to 12th May 2025, in Yaoundé, Republic of Cameroon under the leadership of Hon. Mariam Dao Gabala, Chair of the Committee.
The Technical Meeting brought together Members of the Committee; PAP Members from the Cameroon; Members from the National Assembly; Senate and the Human Rights Commission of the Republic of Cameroon; representatives of selected African Union Organs, namely the African Union Commission (AUC) Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), and the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC); representatives of international Organisations and experts from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) AWARE Project, Equality Now and Clooney Foundation for Justice, as well as gender and legal experts from the Academia and Civil Society, in Cameroon and the rest of the continent.
The Technical Meeting aimed to carry out a comprehensive technical review and finalisation of the draft Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity (“the Model Law”), in line with the Legal and Policy Framework as adopted by the PAP Plenary.
The opening session featured remarks by Roger Nkodo Dang – Member of PAP from Cameroon, Dr. Eyole Nganje Monono – Chair Political Affairs AU ECOSOCC, Representing the Head of Secretariat, Hon. Mariam Dao Gabala, Chairperson – PAP Committee on Gender, Family, Youth, People with Disability and Sport, the Minister Women Empowerment and the Family of Cameroon – Prof. Marie Therese Abana Ondoa nee OBAMA, and the Opening Statement by Hon. Mary Muyali Meboka – Vice President Cameroon National Assembly / Representative of the President of Cameroon National Assembly.
Roger Nkodo Dang, speaking as Head of the Delegation at the Cameroonian Parliamentarians at the PAP, welcomed all participants and expressed the unwavering support and solidarity from Cameroon Parliament for the process of developing a Model Law which will provide National Legislatures with a practical tool for alignment with international and continental legal and policy frameworks.
Eyole Nganje Monono, speaking on behalf of the Head of Secretariat, re-affirmed ECOSOCC’s engagement with the Pan African Parliament will continue, to ensure that gender equality is regarded as essential for the development and well-being of society. He further expressed the hope that, through the implementation of the ECOSOCC National Chapters Framework across member states, the vast network of Civil Society Organizations will support the domestication of the Model Law, raise awareness and work together to promote gender equality and equity in the continent.
In her remarks, Hon. Mariam Dao Gabala, Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Gender, Family, Youth, People with Disability, and Sport highlighted that in accordance with the mission of the Pan-African Parliament works to harmonize laws and policies among AU Member States, promoting human rights, good governance, and continental integration. By bringing together experts to discuss the draft Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity, is giving substance to this mandate by supporting Member States in establishing coherent, progressive legal frameworks that respect African and international commitments on gender. She noted that this Model Law is not just a reference text, but a real lever for change that brings hope to current and future generations. she also noted that the results of this meeting should live up to the expectations of all African peoples, and above all, of the millions of vulnerable persons, including women and girls for whom equality is not an abstract concept, but a fundamental right.
In her statement, H.E. Minister Women Empowerment and the Family of Cameroon – Prof. Marie Therese Abana Ondoa nee OBAMA expressed that Gender Equality is an essential factor in security and stability. It is pivotal in the economic development of a country. She highlighted that Cameroon has adopted in 2014 a National Gender Policy, which seeks to reduce discriminations against women in all sphere and achieve real equality of opportunity and chance for all. The Minister, pointed out that this is why the development of a model law on gender equality and equity is essential for our continent. This innovative legal instrument will undoubtedly serve as a model and inspiration for our member states in aligning their legal arsenal with ratified international and regional instruments for the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls.
In her opening speech, Hon. Mary Muyali Meboka – Vice President of the Cameroon National Assembly / Representative of the Right Honourable President of the Cameroon National Assembly. She explained that women are clamouring for increased recognition and for the application of complementarity between men and women: a partnership that guarantees the rights of all human beings, the development of human beings irrespective of gender. She is hopeful that this technical meeting, organized by the Pan-African Parliament, will enable all the human rights stakeholders and experts who you are to improve on the legal instruments of our States not only for the welfare of women but also for just and equitable societies where everyone has a place and can contribute to the construction of our societies, in his or her domain. On behalf of the Right Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, the Hon. Vice President, declared the Technical Meeting officially opened, wishing that the participants success and constructive discussions that will enrich the legal systems of African States, and that the outcome of the Technical Meeting should be beneficial particularly to women and girls of the African Continent so that they can henceforth tackle the numerous gender-based challenges they encounter.
Following expert presentations and extensive deliberations on the draft Model Law, the Technical Meeting:
Thoroughly reviewed and improved the structure, content and provisions of the initial draft of the Model Law to ensure that it is clear, practical and applicable across diverse legal contexts within AU Member States;
Refined the draft Model Law based on expert insights and the latest legal and policy developments at the international, regional and national arena;
Gathered technical inputs and recommendations for integration in the Model Law to ensure that the law is comprehensive, adaptable and usable across African contexts;
Explored and examined the potential barriers to the effective domestication and implementation of the Model Law at the national level, including challenges related to political will, resource allocation and implementation and provided a platform to discuss possible strategies for fast tracking domestication and implementation of the Model Law once adopted;
Fostered collaboration amongst various stakeholders, including government representatives, parliamentarians, legal experts, civil society organizations and gender advocates mobilised to support and advance domestic use of the Model Law.
The Technical Meeting also gained a clear appreciation of the subsequent steps in the formulation of the draft Model Law, which would guide the development of a roadmap for the consideration and adoption of the revised draft Model Law. Following consideration and adoption by Plenary, the draft Model Law will be subjected to consultations or public hearings in the five regions of Africa with a view of integrating contributions from a wider range of stakeholders including Parliaments, Governments, Civil Society, international institutions and other technical and interested stakeholders.
In conclusion, the Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Gender Equality, Family, Youth and Persons with Disabilities commended all participating institutions and experts for their active participation and invaluable contributions, and expressed hope for their continued engagement with the subsequent stages of the formulation of the Model Law.
The participating institutions and experts expressed deep appreciation to PAP and ECOSOCC for involving African citizens and organisations in this important exercise and pledge to stay ready to engage with the process of formulation of the Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity in Africa.
The Pan-African Parliament and all participants expressed profound gratitude to the Government, Parliament and people of the Republic of Cameroon for the hospitality and support, which permitted the successful holding of the Technical Meeting.
Yaoundé, Republic of Cameroon,
12 May 2025
