Introducing ‘The Maputo Protocol at 20: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward’ Series
Welcome to our series on the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol).
The Maputo Protocol is a landmark human rights instrument that has transformed the landscape of women's rights in Africa. The Protocol was adopted by the African Union on 11 July 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique, and it has since been ratified by 44 countries out of 55 African Union Member States (South Sudan being the latest ratification in June 2023).
The Protocol guarantees a wide range of rights to women, including the right to bodily integrity, the right to education, the right to work, and the right to participate in political life. It also prohibits harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. In the 20 years since its adoption, the Protocol has made significant progress in advancing women's rights in Africa. However, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. The African Union is kick-starting year-long commemorative events that will begin in July 2023 and last until July 2024.
Thus, the 20th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol is an opportunity to reflect on its progress and challenges. It is also an opportunity to recommit to the fight for women's rights in Africa. We will bring to you blog posts written in English or French in which women’s rights experts from the region will provide commentary on various aspects of the Protocol.
In Part 1, "Introduction to the Maputo Protocol and its Significance," Esther Waweru will take us back to the origins of the Protocol, its connection to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (African Charter), and why it represents a historic moment for human rights in Africa.
Part 2, "Implementation of the Maputo Protocol: Progress and Challenges," delves into the strides made in implementing the Protocol across African countries. Matilda Lasseko-Phooko sheds light on the progress achieved and the challenges that lie ahead.
Next, in Part 3, "The Maputo Protocol and the African Human Rights System," Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz explores the interconnectedness between the Maputo Protocol and the African human rights system. We uncover the roles of the African Commission and the African Court, which are instrumental in promoting and protecting women’s rights.
“…the 20th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol is an opportunity to reflect on its progress and challenges. It is also an opportunity to recommit to the fight for women's rights in Africa.”
In Part 4, Kerigo Odada focuses on the financing of sexual and reproductive health and rights as a crucial aspect of the Maputo Protocol. We delve into why states must renew their commitments to health financing, ensuring access to vital services.
Part 5 shines a light on the Maputo Protocol’s provisions to combat violence against women in Africa. Adetokunbo Johnson highlights the progress made and the ongoing efforts needed to eliminate this pervasive issue.
Lastly, in Part 6, we engage in a captivating interview with Special Rapporteur, Janet Salleh-Njie. This segment explores the future prospects, challenges, and strategies to fortify the impact of the Maputo Protocol in advancing women's rights in Africa.
We hope you will join us on this journey as we work to advance women's rights in Africa.
