Groundbreaking Protocol for Women’s Rights Enters into Force

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa came into force on November 25, the International Day Against Violence Against Women and 30 days after the government of Togo became the 15th country to ratify it.

The Protocol, adopted for ratification by the African Union in July 2003, establishes essential rights for women and girls across the continent and offers a series of advances in international law in the protection and promotion of women’s rights.

 The Protocol has been welcomed by women’s rights activists as a sign of positive change for women in the continent and 15 countries including Benin, The Gambia, Lesotho, Libya, Rwanda and South Africa have ratified the Protocol, with 38 states in the African Union yet to do so.
Source: Equality Now – SOAWR Secretariat,  November 2005