The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has hailed the African Union’s (AU) adoption of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
The adoption took place during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the weekend.
The African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG) is a legal instrument to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls in Africa.
The development of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls was informed by the historic decision by the AU Heads of State in February 2023 during the African Union Summit.
During the convention, the leaders reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to eliminating all forms of violence that have long silenced, oppressed, and harmed women and girls across the continent.
With the support of Member States, including South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Comoros and Ghana, multi-stakeholder consultations were held with traditional and religious leaders, youth, women leaders, the private sector, academia, and civil society organisations across the continent.
The convention is fully informed by the voices of African citizens, with the objectives to:
• State Parties’ obligations towards the elimination of violence against women and girls and ensuring timely access to response mechanisms, including justice and adequate remedies for victims, while holding the perpetrators accountable;
• African-based strategies to end violence against women and girls, taking into account the importance of family, communities, and cultural and religious institutions in the elimination of violence and support to victims;
• State Parties’ obligations, leadership and innovation in the context of the evolving nature of violence against women and girls.
The department emphasised that violence against women and girls is a violation of human rights and a fundamental breach of their freedom. It also highlighted that such violence is deeply rooted in historical and traditional power relations between men and women.
“[In implementing the convention], a human rights-based approach, aligned with international, continental, and regional human rights standards, will be adopted, in full alignment with international, continental, and regional human rights standards.
“A victim-centred approach shall be prioritised in ensuring access to justice, preventive and protective support and comprehensive healthcare, legal, educational and other services,” the department said in a statement on Monday. – SAnews.gov.za
