The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), currently convening its 5th Ordinary Session of the 6th Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, has pledged its full support for the ratification and domestication of the African Union (AU) Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. This groundbreaking treaty, adopted by the AU Assembly in February 2025, has been hailed as a turning point in the continent’s decades-long struggle to end gender-based violence.
During dynamic presentations and debates, parliamentarians and gender rights advocates underscored the urgency of translating the convention into actionable and enforceable frameworks across all AU Member States.
Hon. Amina Tidjani Yaya, Chairperson of PAP’s Women’s Caucus, opened the debate with a strong endorsement of the convention. She described it as a “decisive milestone for protecting the rights, dignity, safety, and security of African women and girls,” noting its alignment with existing continental instruments such as the Maputo Protocol, the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality, and the AU’s Agenda 2063.
“This convention is not just a document—it is a commitment to justice and equity,” Hon. Yaya affirmed. She reiterated the Women’s Caucus’s resolve to champion its swift ratification, domestication, and enforcement by mobilising national parliaments, parliamentarians, and civil society actors.
The Women’s Caucus also announced plans to develop a Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity aimed at harmonising legislative responses and eliminating all forms of gender-based violence, including political and online abuse. Hon. Yaya emphasised the need for legal protections for women in politics, reforms within party structures, and regulation of ICT platforms to curb digital harassment.
Lindiwe Mugabe, Programme Specialist at the AU Commission’s Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, delivered a detailed overview of the convention, describing it as the culmination of years of presidential summits and grassroots consultations. She noted that the treaty, adopted at the 38th AU Heads of State Summit in Addis Ababa, represents a holistic response to violence against women during peace, conflict, and humanitarian situations.
Among its defining features, the convention promotes positive masculinity and African values to shift harmful norms; ensures a survivor-centred approach; calls for multisectoral coordination across governments and civil society; embeds protections within the world of work—especially the informal sector—and assigns oversight to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights for interpretation and compliance.
“The convention addresses violence in all its forms—from domestic and workplace abuse to conflict-related and digital violence,” Mugabe said, adding that Seychelles was the first country to sign the treaty.
Janet Sallah Njie, Commissioner and Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, offered legal and institutional insights. She emphasised the urgency of ratification, noting that violence against women and girls remains one of the most pervasive and under-prosecuted human rights violations on the continent.
“The convention fills a critical legal gap. It is a standalone, binding instrument that provides a comprehensive framework for action,” said Njie. She stressed that both state and non-state actors are held accountable, and that Articles 1 and 2 of the treaty broadly define violence—including digital, public, private, and conflict-related forms.
Njie encouraged parliamentarians to leverage their oversight functions, promote national dialogue, and ensure legal harmonisation through domestic legislation. “You have the power to transform this treaty from a symbol into a shield for Africa’s women,” she asserted.
The session featured a passionate address by Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, the newly appointed AU Special Envoy on Women, Youth, Peace, and Security. Drawing on her legacy in leadership and peacebuilding, Ambassador Mulamula declared, “Violence against women is not just a private tragedy—it’s a crime against peace, development, and humanity.”
She emphasised that the convention not only protects but empowers women as mediators, leaders, and nation-builders. “From Liberia to Kenya, African women have shown us that they are peace agents. We must now protect their right to lead and to live free of violence,” she said.
Ambassador Mulamula issued a strong call to action: swift ratification and domestication of the convention; increased budget allocations and parliamentary oversight; institutional accountability; and community-level outreach. She reminded parliamentarians that Africa Women’s Day on 1 July 2025 would honour generations of women who fought for freedom and justice—and that today’s leaders must rise to protect their legacy.
The Pan-African Parliament formally acknowledged the presentations and debates, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Member States in signing and ratifying the convention. Hon. Yaya proposed the establishment of a Pan-African Observatory on Violence Against Women to monitor implementation, document best practices, and recognise exemplary institutions.
“Ending violence against women is not just a women’s issue. It is a matter of justice, leadership, and the future of our continent,” she concluded.
As the 5th Ordinary Session draws to a close in Midrand, the voices from the Pan-African Parliament echo a powerful rallying cry—One Africa, One Voice—to end violence against women and girls and to ensure a future where every African woman can live in dignity, safety, and equality.
