The ninth African Regional Conference, under the aegis of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 17 to 19 November 2014. (See: http://www.uneca.org/beijing-plus-20)
NGO Forum
Women’s rights organizations, taking part in an NGO Forum in Addis Ababa in advance of the ECA meeting, from 14-16, called on African governments to re-dedicate themselves to upholding national, regional and international laws and policies that advance women’s rights and gender equality on universal human rights standards already agreed upon and protect them from social moral and cultural arguments and positions.
They emphasized in the African CSO Position Statement "HIV, maternal mortality and morbidity continue to be amongst leading causes of death for women; the rising radical and extremist groups pose threats to the safety, security and advancement of women and girls as indicated by on-going abductions of girls shrinking space and; resources for civil society; and macroeconomic policies that perpetuate inequalities."
African Women Ninth African Regional Conference
“They are stripping us, raping us, killing us and it must stop NOW!”
As reported by the African Women Development and Communications Network (FEMNET), at the Conference itself the continuous and unacceptable acts of abuse, violence and discrimination towards girls and women across the continent was strongly condemned. An end was demanded to acts of injustice and impunity faced by victims and survivors that are being reported in greater numbers across Africa.
Members of civil society organizations were appalled and heartbroken that over seven months after hundreds of girls were abducted in Chibok, Nigeria, and, despite their whereabouts being known, the girls are yet to be returned safely to their families, and they called for their immediate and safe return.
Other cases of violence and abuse were cited including in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia. There is a clear upsurge in violent crimes being committed against African women in a seeming backlash against progress, feminism and human rights, despite progressive regional and national frameworks being in place – namely; the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women and the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa which have strong provisions against violence and discrimination against women and girls.
The full statement is availalbe here.
For further information please contact: Brenda Muturi; Nebila Abdulmelik (+25473553579); Zemdena Abebe (+251911935524)