H2: Growing Concerns at ACHPR 85th Ordinary Session
At the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), held in Nairobi, Kenya, leading women’s rights organization Equality Now delivered a stark warning: women and girls across Africa face an intensified risk as anti-gender campaigns gain momentum. The organization called for urgent action from states to strengthen legal protections, safeguard basic freedoms, and uphold international human rights commitments designed to shield women from discrimination, violence, and coercive social norms.
H2: What the Anti-Gender Pushback Means for African Women
Across the continent, a convergence of legislative proposals and social campaigns has sought to roll back gains in gender equality. Advocates warn that measures framed as “protective” or “cultural” can, in practice, curtail women’s autonomy, restrict access to reproductive health services, and limit women’s participation in public life. The impact is especially acute for girls in schools and communities where conservative rhetoric intersects with weak enforcement of rights protections.
H3: Equality Now’s Key Warnings and Recommendations
Equality Now outlined several critical concerns and concrete steps for governments:
– Enshrine equal protection under the law: ensure that constitutions and statutes explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex and gender identity, and provide robust remedies for violations.
– Safeguard women’s reproductive rights: guarantee access to comprehensive information and safe, legal reproductive health services, resisting any policy moves that would criminalize or stigmatize women’s health choices.
– Strengthen protection against gender-based violence: implement and fund survivor-centered services, enforce timely investigations, and ensure accountability for perpetrators at all levels of government.
– Support women’s political and economic participation: remove legal and administrative barriers that deter women from leadership roles and entrepreneurship; provide targeted training, childcare support, and financial access.
– Educate and empower communities: counteract harmful stereotypes with evidence-based education, community-led dialogue, and media literacy programs that promote gender equality.
H2: The Legal and International Context
Experts note that Africa is bound by regional human rights instruments and international treaties that protect women’s rights. The ACHPR and the African Union have repeatedly stressed that gender equality is essential for development, peace, and social justice. Equality Now urged states to align domestic laws with these commitments, emphasizing:
– Non-discrimination as a core principle across all sectors, including health, education, and justice.
– The obligation to prohibit and punish violence against women, while providing accessible remedies and support services.
– The necessity to ensure informed consent and bodily autonomy for women and girls, free from coercion.
H3: What This Means for Civil Society and Citizens
The pushback against gender equality is not only a policymaking challenge but also a test of civil society resilience. Equality Now’s briefing signals the importance of monitoring government actions, advocating for legislative reform, and sustaining public dialogue about women’s rights. For citizens, the message is clear: demand transparency in how laws are drafted, seek accountability when violations occur, and support programs that empower women at every life stage—from education to leadership.
H2: Looking Ahead: Opportunities to Strengthen Protections
Experts suggest several paths forward:
– Strengthened regional oversight: ACHPR and regional bodies should publish clearer guidance on state obligations and provide timely mechanisms to address complaints related to gender discrimination and violence.
– Targeted funding for women’s rights initiatives: international donors and governments can prioritize programs that build capacity in legal aid, health services, and safe shelters.
– Inclusive policy design: involve women’s rights organizations in the drafting of laws and policies to ensure perspectives from diverse communities are represented.
H2: Why This Moment Matters
As anti-gender rhetoric rises, the urgency to fortify protections for women’s rights becomes all the more pressing. The ACHPR and Equality Now’s continued advocacy aims to safeguard the hard-won gains of African women while enabling future generations to pursue education, health, leadership, and equality without fear of discrimination or violence. The road ahead requires political will, practical action, and unwavering commitment to universal human rights.
