African Union Urged to Publish Key Treaty, Advance Efforts Against Violence on Women

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) is set to hold its first public session since the African Union (AU) adopted the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (CEVAWG) and passed a landmark resolution on eliminating obstetric violence, HRW reported. These developments mark significant progress in addressing violence against women across Africa.

The resolution on obstetric violence, adopted in March, recognizes mistreatment and abuse of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum as a serious violation of rights, contributing to high maternal mortality rates. It acknowledges physical, verbal, and psychological abuse in reproductive healthcare and tasks relevant AU bodies with developing guidelines to eliminate obstetric violence by March 2027. African governments are urged to actively participate in this process.

Despite the historic adoption of CEVAWG, the AU Commission has yet to publish the treaty’s final version, limiting access for civil society and hindering advocacy efforts for ratification. The treaty aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, including obstetric violence, signaling a major commitment to women’s rights on the continent.

At its upcoming session, the ACHPR is expected to call on the AU Commission to publish the treaty text and outline clear steps for implementing guidelines against obstetric violence, crucial for translating commitments into effective protection for women and girls across Africa.