Equality Now has urged African governments to urgently strengthen legal protections for women and girls, warning that persistent state inaction, rising conflict, and a growing anti-gender backlash are exposing millions to sexual violence, exploitation, trafficking, and preventable reproductive health risks.
The call was made during the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), where the women’s rights organisation said that despite strong regional legal frameworks, women and girls across Africa continue to suffer serious and systemic human rights violations.
Delivering Equality Now’s statement to the Commission, human rights lawyer Deborah Nyokabi said African states are failing to translate legal commitments into meaningful protection.
“African governments have ratified powerful regional instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Maputo Protocol, but too many women and girls still experience violence, discrimination, and denial of essential services,” Nyokabi said.
“Weak legal safeguards, limited access to justice, and widespread impunity for perpetrators continue to undermine survivors’ rights. Legal equality is not optional it is a prerequisite for peace, development, and justice.”
Barriers to justice for survivors
Equality Now highlighted that sexual and gender-based violence remains one of the most pervasive crimes across Africa, yet survivors face formidable barriers when seeking justice.
According to its report, Barriers to Justice: Rape in Africa, Law, Practice and Access to Justice, most rape cases never reach court, and even fewer result in convictions.
Nyokabi pointed to gaps in legislation, poor enforcement, under-resourced justice systems, and entrenched victim-blaming as key drivers of impunity.
“Survivors are often silenced by stigma, fear, and discrimination, while perpetrators face little consequence,” she said.
“This failure sends a dangerous message that violence against women and girls can continue unchecked.”
Sexual violence in conflict and state custody
Equality Now also raised an alarm over the use of sexual violence in conflict and custodial settings.
The organisation cited testimonies, including that of Ugandan lawyer and activist Agather Atuhaire, who has spoken publicly about being raped and tortured while in Tanzanian state custody.
In Sudan, ongoing conflict has seen rape used as a weapon of war, according to reports from the International Criminal Court and a UN Fact-Finding Mission.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Ministry of Health recorded more than 73,000 cases of sexual violence between January and July 2025 alone, a 16 percent increase compared to the previous period.
A landmark August 2025 ACHPR ruling held the DRC accountable for widespread sexual violence committed by its military in South Kivu in 2011, recognising the gendered nature of the crimes and finding violations of the rights to life, health, dignity, and protection from torture.
“This judgment set an important precedent,” Nyokabi said.
“But justice does not end with a ruling. Survivors deserve public acknowledgment, reparations, and accountability. The DRC must fully comply with the Commission’s decision and demonstrate concrete progress.”
Exploitation, trafficking, and weak enforcement
Sexual exploitation and human trafficking remain widespread across Africa, driven by poverty, displacement, climate shocks, conflict, and cross-border criminal networks.
Equality Now warned that while legal frameworks exist, enforcement remains inconsistent and fragmented.
The organisation called on governments to harmonise anti-trafficking laws, invest in survivor-centred services, and strengthen regional cooperation to dismantle trafficking networks.
Anti-gender movements threaten hard-won gains
Equality Now expressed deep concern over the growing influence of anti-gender movements seeking to roll back legal protections for women and girls.
These movements, often supported by international networks, are challenging reproductive rights, comprehensive sexuality education, LGBTQ+ protections, and laws banning harmful practices.
A proposed “African Charter on Family, Sovereignty and Values,” developed without the participation of women’s rights organisations, was cited as a major threat.
Equality Now said the document promotes rigid gender roles and undermines protections enshrined in existing regional human rights instruments.
“These efforts ignore the lived realities of women and girls, where family structures are often sites of control, violence, and inequality,” Nyokabi said. “They risk undoing decades of legal progress.”
Reproductive justice crisis
Africa continues to account for about 70 percent of global maternal deaths, most of which are preventable.
Equality Now said restrictive and contradictory national laws, particularly around abortion and reproductive healthcare, are placing women and girls at unnecessary risk.
The organisation urged the ACHPR to intensify pressure on African Union Member States to align national laws with Article 14 of the Maputo Protocol, which guarantees women’s rights to sexual and reproductive health.
“Access to reproductive healthcare is not a moral debate, it is a human rights obligation,” Nyokabi said. “Failure to act is costing lives.”
Call to action
Equality Now concluded by calling on African governments to move from commitments to implementation, enforce existing laws, and resist efforts that undermine gender equality.
“Africa’s civil society is clear,” Nyokabi said.
“Protecting the rights of women and girls is fundamental to justice, stability, and sustainable development. Governments must act, and they must act now.”
About Equality Now
Equality Now is an international non-profit, human rights organisation that works to protect and promote the rights of women and girls worldwide.
The organisation works closely with civil society, governments, and regional and international human rights bodies to ensure legal frameworks are translated into real protection and justice for women and girls.
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