Equality Now’s Urgent Call for Action Across Africa

Nairobi, Kenya (AXADLE) – Addressing an escalating crisis, Equality Now is appealing to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. They’re urging member states of the African Union (AU) to take immediate steps to tackle the surge in sexual violence and exploitation impacting women and girls across the continent.

During the 83rd Ordinary Session of the Commission this month, this dedicated human rights organization emphasized the need for governments to make reparations for survivors of sexual violence. They also advocate for the criminalization of femicide, the termination of child marriages, and the strengthening of laws against digital violence.

Equality Now stresses that the Commission must remind states of their duties under the Maputo Protocol regarding Women’s Rights, a protocol already ratified or signed by 45 out of 55 member states.

Deborah Nyokabi, a seasoned expert on legal equality and gender policy at Equality Now, passionately explains, “Across Africa, women and girls are facing violence in numerous horrific forms—be it rape, child marriage, femicide, trafficking, or digital abuse. Our legal systems, unfortunately, often fail to protect or deliver justice.” She adds, “These are symptoms of a larger issue: a systemic failure to uphold the rights embedded in the Maputo Protocol.”

“African governments must prioritize legal reform, provide reparations to survivors, and close the protection gaps that leave so many women and girls vulnerable and without access to assistance when their rights have been violated, especially in conflict zones where the breakdown of services intensifies harm.”

Understanding the Depths of Sexual Violence

The statistics are staggering. According to figures from UNICEF, over 79 million girls and women in sub-Saharan Africa have suffered sexual violence as children. This region bears the unfortunate distinction of having the highest number of child sexual violence victims globally.

However, despite these bleak numbers, justice remains elusive. Equality Now’s report, “Barriers to Justice: Rape in Africa, Law, Practice and Access to Justice”, uncovers significant gaps in rape laws across 45 African countries. These include horrific legal loopholes like accepting marital rape or allowing perpetrators to escape punishment simply by marrying their victims.

To remedy these injustices, Equality Now calls on the African Commission to push member states to integrate the Niamey Guidelines on combating sexual violence, adopted in 2017. This gesture emphasizes the imperative need to support survivors through tangible reparations.

Femicide and Its Gruesome Reality

The issue of femicide is urgent. It is the most stark and brutal expression of gender-based violence. Calls for governments to categorize femicide as a distinct crime are gaining momentum. The report, “Gender Inequality in Family Laws in Africa”, released by Equality Now, outlines how domestic violence, marital rape, and femicide reflect devastating family-based inequalities.

An alarming 140 women and girls are killed daily by someone close to them. Despite the horrifying frequency, measures to combat these acts remain inadequate, often leaving offenders unpunished.

Taking notice, South Africa’s national femicide study revealed that three women a day were killed by a partner in 2020/21. Yet, in nearly half of these cases, the police were unable to identify a perpetrator. Community petitions and local activism, as seen in Kenya and Cameroon, are demanding action.

Safeguarding Rights Amid Conflict

Equality Now emphasizes the dire need for Sudan to ratify the Maputo Protocol urgently. For countries like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, years of conflict have damaged healthcare services, escalating the vulnerability of women and girls.

In Sudan, sexual violence is being exploited as a weapon, leaving victims without essential medical care. These crises demand an immediate and integrated response that includes sexual and reproductive health rights in humanitarian efforts.

Eradicating Child Marriage and Sexual Exploitation

Child marriage continues to be a grave human rights violation, deeply rooted across Africa. Equality Now calls for increased efforts to end this practice. All AU member states should legislate the minimum age for marriage at 18 and implement comprehensive programs to curb this violation.

The issue of trafficking cannot be ignored either. The UNODC’s report highlights that a significant portion of trafficking involves Africans, with devastating implications for young girls who are majorly affected.

“Digital spaces should not be war zones for women and girls. Yet, with rising internet penetration, online abuse, including harassment and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, has exacerbated.” —Equality Now

The call to action is clear. Governments need to enforce robust laws against online exploitation and invest in digital safety initiatives, aligned with the newly adopted UN Global Digital Compact.