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To: The Pan-African Parliament
Strengthen the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Before Ratification
PETITION TO THE PAN-AFRICAN PARLIAMENT
Pause. Listen. Strengthen the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Before Ratification.
Recently, the African Union has adopted a new Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG). While its goal is important, many African women's rights organisations, feminist movements, survivors, lawyers and human rights experts believe that the Convention, in its current form, does not yet provide the strongest protection possible for African women and girls.
On 25 July 2026, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) will meet to discuss the Convention and encourage African Union Member States to ratify it. Before this happens, Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that all voices are heard, not only those supporting immediate ratification, but also the many African feminists and civil society organisations that have raised legitimate concerns.
Recently, the African Union has adopted a new Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG). While its goal is important, many African women's rights organisations, feminist movements, survivors, lawyers and human rights experts believe that the Convention, in its current form, does not yet provide the strongest protection possible for African women and girls.
On 25 July 2026, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) will meet to discuss the Convention and encourage African Union Member States to ratify it. Before this happens, Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that all voices are heard, not only those supporting immediate ratification, but also the many African feminists and civil society organisations that have raised legitimate concerns.
We believe PAP should listen before it recommends ratification.
We therefore call on the Pan-African Parliament to:
- Pause any recommendation for the immediate ratification of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
- Ensure meaningful consultation with African women's rights organisations, feminist movements, survivors, legal experts and civil society from across the continent.
- Support an independent review of the Convention so that identified concerns can be openly discussed and addressed.
- Strengthen the Convention so that it complements and reinforces the protections already guaranteed under the Maputo Protocol and other African human rights instruments.
- Promote transparent, evidence-based and inclusive decision-making before encouraging Member States to ratify the Convention.
This is not a call to reject the Convention.
It is a call to get it right.
Why is this important?
Why Your Voice Matters
Violence against women and girls remains one of the greatest human rights challenges facing Africa. Every woman and girl deserves to live free from violence, discrimination and fear.
Laws that affect millions of women and girls should be built through transparency, participation and careful scrutiny. They should strengthen the protections that African women have already fought for, not create uncertainty or weaken existing rights. That is why African women have spent decades fighting for stronger laws and greater protection. African women deserve the strongest possible legal protections against violence. Good laws are built through dialogue, accountability and public participation.
Violence against women and girls remains one of the greatest human rights challenges facing Africa. Every woman and girl deserves to live free from violence, discrimination and fear.
Laws that affect millions of women and girls should be built through transparency, participation and careful scrutiny. They should strengthen the protections that African women have already fought for, not create uncertainty or weaken existing rights. That is why African women have spent decades fighting for stronger laws and greater protection. African women deserve the strongest possible legal protections against violence. Good laws are built through dialogue, accountability and public participation.
Taking time to improve this Convention is not delaying justice; it is helping to ensure that justice is stronger, more effective and more enduring for future generations. By signing this petition, you are calling for a better Convention, a more transparent process and a stronger future for the rights of women and girls across Africa.
Our Message
Our Message
Pause. Listen. Strengthen the Convention. Then Ratify.
#PauseForPurpose
Learn more: https://aucevawg.org