Campaign for the ratification of the protocol on the rights of women gathers steam

“I urge all African States to ratify the Protocol immediately because African women's rights cannot be postponed.” - Graça Machel

The ratification of the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa is essential for the protection and recognition of African women’s rights. This is the general view of over 200 petitioners demanding that African governments ratify the protocol without delay. “Only when full equality and opportunity for men and women become the norm will the world move towards justice and peace,” wrote one petitioner.

And as Oxfam GB, Equality Now, FEMNET, CREDO for Freedom of Expression and Associated Rights and FAHAMU officially launched the international campaign on 29 June in Addis Ababa, the movement continued to grow rapidly as it emerged that the following organisations were campaigning for the ratification of the protocol:

1. UNFD - Union Nationale des Femmes Djiboutiennes;
2. National Human Rights Committee (Djibouti),
3. ACDHRS - African Centre For Human Rights and Democracy Studies (The Gambia);
4. CPTAFE - Cellule de Coordination sur les Pratiques Traditionelles Affectant la Sante des Femmes et fes Enfants, (Guinea);
5. COVAW Coalition on Violence Against Women (Kenya);
6. AJM - Association des Juristes Maliennes (Mali);
7. FDC - Fundacao Para O Desenvolvimento Da Comunidade (Mozambique);
8. Sister Namibia (Namibia);
9. WRAPA - Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative
(Nigeria);
10. Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria (South
Africa);
11. WiLDAF - Women and Law in Development - West Africa (Togo/West
Africa);
12. AMwA - Akina Mama wa Afrika (Uganda);
13. WiLDAF Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe);
14. Centre d'Etudes et de Recherche en Droits de l'Homme et Démocratie;
15. Centre for Human Rights & Democracy Studies and Research (Democratic Republic of Congo).

As announced in Addis Ababa, the campaign will particularly target the 30 countries that have already signed the Protocol in a concerted effort to get the necessary ratifications for it to enter into force.

In collaboration with national women's and human rights groups, the coalition has already begun dialogue with government officials from several countries across the continent.

It is not only at the governmental level where a difference can be made, however. You can support the rights of women in Africa by joining over 200 people who have already signed an online petition telling African governments that they dare not delay in signing the protocol. Your signature will help give ammunition to the teams engaging with government officials.

Read the official petition statement and sign the petition now at: http://www.pambazuka.org/petition/petition.php?id=1