The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, better known as the Maputo Protocol, guarantees comprehensive rights to women including the right to take part in the political process, to social and political equality with men, and to control their reproductive health. It was adopted by the African Union in the form of a protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Sierra Leone has signed the Protocol in 2003, but until now not ratified the document. That makes Sierra Leone the last country in West Africa with a pending ratification. The panel of experts at the recent discussion of Sierra Leone’s report to CEDAW recommended a speedy ratification of the Protocol.
In the recent months AMNet together with different Civil Society Organizations, the Ministry of Social Welfare and Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone have jointly undertaken tremendous lobbying and advocacy efforts for the ratification of the Protocol. The Protocol was tabled in Parliament on 04.03.2014.
Civil society’s call for a speedy ratification of the Maputo Protocol is supported by the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma, the Female Caucus of Parliament and other Members of Parliament, like the Majority Leader.
AMNet and its partners were joined by a delegation of women’s rights activists from other African countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Gambia and Liberia in the call for a speedy ratification of the Maputo Protocol. The lobbying efforts are supported by WILDAF, IPAS and UNWomen.
