. . WOMEN’S EQUALITY . .
An article from Burkina 24 (translation by CPNN)
The adoption last February of the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls was hailed as a major milestone for women’s rights on the continent.
However, the Alliance Droits et Santé, a regional collective committed to defending women’s human rights and health, warns that this progress risks remaining symbolic without rapid, effective, and funded implementation.
The organization particularly calls on the governments of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Senegal (members of the alliance), as well as all African countries, urging them to translate this continental commitment into concrete national actions.
“Every day of delay exposes more women and girls to unacceptable violence. The time for promises is over, but for action,” the Alliance insists.
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Protecting women and girls against violence, Is progress being made?
What role should men play to stop violence against women?
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To prevent the Convention from remaining a dead letter, the organization makes three strategic recommendations to policymakers and civil society actors:
1. Strengthening legal frameworks and survivor protection: This involves harmonizing national laws with regional and international standards, criminalizing all forms of gender-based violence, and ensuring simplified and secure access to justice.
2. Sustainable financing for the fight against gender-based violence: Alliance Droits et Santé calls for the allocation of multi-year national budgets, the involvement of the African private sector through corporate social responsibility, and the creation of dedicated, transparent, and rigorously monitored funds.
3. Strengthened coordination and data sharing: The establishment of inter-stakeholder cooperation mechanisms, the digitization of data, the strengthening of specialized centers, and the training of field professionals are essential to ensure a coherent and effective response.
The organization emphasizes the need to build a collective response. Governments, technical and financial partners, feminist movements, civil society and the private sector must work hand in hand to guarantee every woman and girl a free, safe and dignified life.
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