Resolution on the Situation of Women in Africa
We the participants at the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 32nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 6th African Human Rights Book Fair, held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Banjul from October 14th-16th, 2002
Recalling the provision of Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the function of the African Commission to ensure the protection and promotion of human and peoples’ rights in Africa,
Recalling that the African states expressed their conviction to ensure the promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights,
Alarmed that despite the above expressed commitments, the rights of women continue to be violated;
Alarmed that the practice of stoning of women as a form of punishment is on the increase,
Aware that most African governments have not yet domesticated international instruments relevant to the promotion and protection of the rights of women,
We hereby call upon the African Commission:
To encourage African governments to implement already ratified treaties and instruments with the view to protect women’s rights.
To ensure that law reform and policies take into consideration the improvement of women’s human rights,
To mainstream gender issues in its work and programmes and structures.
To support and expedite the elaboration of the Protocol to the African Charter on Women Rights in Africa.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia 16th October 2002
