Members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Permanent Committee on Gender, Family, Youth, and People with Disabilities were received yesterday by Mrs. Nassénéba Touré, Minister of Women, Family, and Children of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. The delegation, led by Hon. Mariam Dao Gabala, is in Côte d’Ivoire as part of an advocacy mission aimed at promoting the ratification and domestication of key African Union (AU) protocols, including those on the rights of older persons, persons with disabilities, and on social protection and security.
During this inaugural meeting with Minister Touré, discussions focused on safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups, including women, children, and persons with disabilities. The delegation briefed the Minister on PAP’s efforts, highlighting areas that require support from Côte d’Ivoire and other AU member states. One such initiative is PAP’s development of a Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity, whose framework was finalized in June 2024. This law aims to address gender inequality across Africa and aligns with the objectives of Agenda 2063. The initial stage involved consultations to identify gaps in the Maputo Protocol and propose solutions to address them in the Model Law.
“This Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity will serve as a mechanism to domesticate international and regional legal instruments related to gender equality within African countries. It will also draw from national legislation to ensure the law is compatible with the forms and substance of existing gender equality frameworks across the continent,” said Hon. Dao Gabala.
Hon. Dao Gabala also briefed the Minister on the PAP’s Model Law on Disability, designed to provide a legal and institutional framework for the protection of persons with disabilities. Additionally, the Chairperson of the Committee on Gender shared details of a recent seminar by the Continental Legislature on enhancing African family values to improve citizens’ socioeconomic security. The seminar emphasized the need to build the capacity of parliamentarians to monitor the implementation of AU policies and programs related to family welfare.
Among the seminar's recommendations, parliamentarians were urged to promote the ratification and integration of AU protocols on the rights of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, social protection, and the well-being of children. They were also encouraged to expedite family law reforms at the national level, including the revision of family codes to better serve African families.
Minister Nassénéba Touré commended the Pan-African Parliament for its efforts to address the systemic challenges facing vulnerable populations. She highlighted Côte d’Ivoire’s progress in ratifying and domesticating the Maputo Protocol, noting significant strides in the fight against family discrimination, promotion of women’s access to financial resources, and the protection of civil liberties.
“This progress is the result of women’s economic empowerment through support funds, recent legislative advancements, and the ongoing fight against gender-based violence, including domestic violence and female genital mutilation. We specifically link gender issues to broader economic and sustainable development challenges,” said Minister Touré.
However, she acknowledged that more work remains and welcomed PAP’s Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity. She pledged to review the framework and provide input on behalf of the Ivorian government.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from both parties to continue focusing on family support and improving laws that promote the development and well-being of African populations, especially in light of the many challenges facing families today.
