African women unite to push for AU convention on girls’ and women’s rights

Dar es Salaam. In a historic milestone for gender equality, the African Union (AU) has adopted its first-ever convention dedicated solely to ending violence against women and girls. The landmark legal instrument, adopted in 2024, will require member states to ratify it before it can be enforced.

In a show of unity, more than 40 women leaders and activists from 16 African countries convened in Dar es Salaam for a three-day summit aimed at strategising how to ensure governments not only sign but implement the AU convention.

The summit was organised by the African Women’s Development and Communications Network (FEMNET), a pan-African feminist membership-based organisation.

“We came here to discuss the AU’s new convention on ending violence against girls and women,” said FEMNET’s representative, Ms Mourine Anyango.

“For the first time, we now have a binding legal document that requires African countries to act. That’s historic,” she said.

Ms Anyango explained that until now, Africa lacked a specific binding instrument focused exclusively on violence against women and girls. “That changes with this convention,” she said.

She added that FEMNET’s next goal is to engage grassroots organisations across East and Southern Africa to increase awareness and encourage national-level advocacy for ratification and implementation.

However, she warned that the fight is evolving. “Gender-based violence is no longer confined to traditional forms. We now face digital threats—cyberstalking, online harassment, and image-based abuse. The convention must address these modern realities.”

Tanzania, which hosted the summit, expressed political support for the convention.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Ms Felister Mdemu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment.

“As a government, we support all efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls. We have reformed laws, improved support systems, and continue to empower women through various initiatives,” she said.

Ms Mdemu cited President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s decision to separate the Ministry of Health from that of Gender and Community Development as a deliberate move to elevate focus on women and children’s affairs.

“Having a dedicated ministry ensures targeted action. We are proud to host this summit and stand in solidarity with African countries championing this agenda,” she said.

A gender rights expert and summit participant, Ms Emmaculate Shamala, noted that while political will is growing, financial limitations often slow progress.

“One reason countries delay ratification is the cost,” she said, adding that signing a convention means budgeting for its implementation.

“Without funding, commitments fall flat,” she said.

She urged African leaders to go beyond statements and allocate sufficient resources to uphold the convention.

“Women’s lives deserve more than political rhetoric. They require investment-backed protection,” she said.

Africa, the EAC and Tanzania

Across the continent, violence against women and girls remains endemic. According to the African Development Bank, one in three women in Africa experiences gender-based violence in her lifetime. Harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, and domestic abuse persist in many countries.

In the East African Community (EAC), progress has been uneven. Rwanda has introduced robust, gender-sensitive legislation, while Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have each implemented national action plans against gender-based violence.

In Tanzania, the government has developed a National Plan of Action to End Violence against Women and Children, created child protection desks in police stations, and collaborated with civil society to improve survivor support services. However, challenges remain.

Civil society organisations argue that cultural stigma, deeply rooted gender norms, and underfunding continue to undermine meaningful change.

Ms Cecilia Shirima, Director of the Young and Alive Initiative—one of the participating organisations—said the AU convention offers a fresh wave of hope.

“This summit has deepened our understanding of the convention. We can now return home better equipped to educate both communities and policymakers,” she said.

She called on fellow activists across Africa to maintain momentum. “Our responsibility as feminists, NGOs, and allies is to ensure our governments don’t delay. The convention must be signed. It must be resourced. It must be enforced.”