Highlight key challenges that hamper the existing gender equality initiatives and. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Recalling the solemn declaration on the conference on security, stability, development and cooperation in africa cssdca, and particularly its interactive approach, as an invaluable tool for the union to pursue and strengthen its agenda in the new millennium, in the areas of security, stability, development and cooperation in africa. Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea tackling. Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea. In addition, many national governments have promulgated legislative and regulatory frameworks, and implemented. Women in africa, and the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa.
Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea in 2004 the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea, was adopted with member states committing to accelerate gender equality at all levels. English report of the commission on the implementation of the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea. Mozambicans have regarded the commitment of the african heads of states to mainstream gender in the political and development agenda as a great. Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea and the post conflict reconstruction and development adopted by the heads of state and government in 2006, among others. The au adopted the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea at its summit meeting in addis ababa, ethiopia. Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa, 2017. The women, gender and development directorate wgdd is responsible for leading, guiding, defending and coordinating the aus efforts on gender equality and development and promoting womens empowerment by ensuring that african countries comply with the au solemn declaration on gender equality in. African heads of state also through the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea in 2004 reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of gender equality as enshrined in article 4 l of. Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa the united nations. Human and peoples rights and the rights of women in africa maputo protocol, 2003, the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa 2004 and the african union gender policy. African union gender policy united states institute of peace. Africas development nepad and its gender component and the african union solemn declaration on gender equality of 2004 have also provided mandates for fostering greater gender equality.
In addition to calling for wider ratification of the protocol to the african charter on human and peoples rights on the rights of women in africa, it also addresses state responsibility for tackling violence against women and. Report findings from 18 african countries out of the 53, indicate that only 34 per cent of the member states have honoured the commitment of subsequent reporting on progress made in implementing the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea as required under article12. The solemn declaration of gender equality in africa x as well as the au gender policy are significant in exhausting the definition the scope of gender equality in africa. Implementation of the solemn declaration on gender. Reports of member states on the implementation of the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea. We, the heads of state and government of member states of the african union, meeting in the. Reaffirming our commitment to the principle of gender equality as enshrined in article 4 l. National gender machineries are widely acknowledged and accepted both globally and at national. Approach to womens rights in africa manual in may 2011. In 1997 zimbabwe ratified the southern african development ommunitys sadc gender and development protocol and subsequently ratified the. Reports of member states on the implementation of the. Document achievements, lessons learned relevant to gender equality in rwanda 2. Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa au archives.
Africa solemn declaration on gender equality in africa. Mozambicans have regarded the commitment of the african heads of states to mainstream gender in the political and development agenda as a great achievement for the continent. Adopted by au heads of state and government at their july 2004 summit. Drc state adopted the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa in 2004 thus proposed to monitor on gender mainstreaming 12. The au gender policy background the aus approach to the. Regional political organizations have also adopted protocols and resolutions as well as issued declarations pertaining to the protection and promotion of womens human rights, including the economic community of.
The womens rights unit at the centre for human rights, read more. Evaluation of the solemn declaration on gender equality. Au solemn declaration on gender equality in africa by rwanda 3. Human and peoples rights on the rights of women in africa and the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa, among others this gender policy provides a mandate for the operationalisation of assembly commitments and is accompanied by a comprehensive ten year action plan, which will guide the implementation of these commitments by au organs. It is the strategic framework for delivering on africas goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the panafrican drive for unity, selfdetermination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under panafricanism and african.
The adoption of the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea is a similarly impressive achievement. Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa, 2017 download pdf. Subject article 4 l of the constitutive act of the african union. We have always acknowledged this achievement but at the same time recognized that the road towards total women emancipation was still long. Banjul realizing womens rights through the african union solemn declaration of gender equality in africa was the theme of the 1st conference of african ministers responsible for gender and. The drc has recently, in 2009, ratified the protocol on the rights of women in africa. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Rights on the rights of women in africa by the end of 2004 and to support the launching of public campaigns aimed at ensuring its entry into force by 2005 and usher in an era of domesticating and implementing the protocol as well as other national, regional and international instruments on gender equality by all states parties.
The constitution of the republic of malawi recognizes and promotes gender equality as one of the ways of promoting the welfare and development of the people of malawi. Further, gender equality is a basic human rights and development issue as affirmed in a number of international and regional human rights instruments to which malawi is signatory. In the sdgea, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to. This gender policy provides a mandate for the operationalization of assembly commitments and is accompanied by a. This has translated into similar sub regional policies such as the sadc womens rights protocol5 to. Au solemn declaration on gender equality in africa the african union gender policy of 2008 ecowas gender policy and strategic plan 1. Following its adoption, au member states in the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa adopted in july 2004, undertook to sign and ratify the maputo protocol by the end of 2004, support. The african unions mechanisms to foster gender mainstreaming. Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea and. At the third ordinary session of the african union au assembly of heads of state and government in addis ababa, ethiopia in july 2004, the heads of state and government adopted the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea. Banjul realizing womens rights through the african union solemn declaration of gender equality in africa was the theme of the 1st conference of african ministers responsible for gender and women affairs held in dakar, senegal. The solemn declaration on gender equality in africa was adopted by the au assembly in 2004, calling for member states continual action toward achieving gender equality and reinforcing their commitment to international and regional womens rights instruments.
The uganda national parenting guidelines, may 2018 download pdf. Institutional framework for implementation gender mainstreaming is accomplished through the establishment of a gender management system gms that puts in place structures, mechanisms and processes. Engendering youth for gender equality in africa pambazuka news. Uganda is also a signatory to the african union solemn declaration on gender equality in africa. The list of acronyms and abbreviations related to sdgea solemn declaration on gender equality in africa. The declaration provides for annual reports on progress. The au solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sd, which was adopted by the heads of state and government of member states of the african union during the third ordinary session of the assembly in addis ababa, ethiopia, in july 2004, is a product of a broadbased and. Sdgea solemn declaration on gender equality in africa. Programme on women, gender, peace and security african. Executive council, twentythird ordinary session, 19 23 may 20, addis ababa, ethiopia ex. The african union has led the way with the african women s protocol, the african union solemn declaration on gender equality in africa and the african union gender policy4. To that end, the african union, through various protocols such as the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea and the durban declaration on mainstreaming gender and womens. Mozambicans have regarded the commitment of the african heads of states to.
Africa executive council, twentythird ordinary session, 19 23 may 20, addis ababa, ethiopia ex. We, the heads of state and government of member states of the african union, meeting in the third ordinary session of our assembly in addis ababa, ethiopia, from 68 july 2004. Other significant regional declarations date from 1997, when the southern african development community. Jun 24, 20 the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa. Reports of member states on the implementation of the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea view open. Managing for gender equality results in partner countries introduction through the paris declaration on aid effectiveness 2005, donors and partner countries have committed to manage and implement aid in a way that focuses on the desired results and uses information to improve decisionmaking paragraph 43. Implementation of the solemn declaration on gender equality.
The current situation analysis on gender equality and. Zimbabwe is also part to the 2004 solemn declaration on gender and equality in africa. Reports of member states on the implementation of the solemn. Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa, 2016 download pdf. The solemn declaration on gender equality in africa was adopted by the au assembly in 2004, calling for member states continual action. Finding an opportunity for discussion on these reports would underline the importance which african leaders attach to following up the declaration. African union au agenda 2063, the au gender strategy 2018, the solemn declaration on gender equality in africa 2004 and other relevant instruments. These treaties provide that states should develop national legislation that promote gender equality within the state. African union solemn declaration on gender equality in africa, the african union gender policy and agenda 2063.
Implementation of the solemn declaration on gender equality in. The drc also signed the sadc protocol on gender and development 14, a legally. How states can deliver on the au declaration for an. The declaration is an important african instrument for promoting gender equality and womens empowerment. In july 2004, the african union au embarked on a new chapter of moving forward the gender equality agenda in africa, representing another milestone for womens effective participation. Solemn declaration on gender equality in africa we, the heads of state and government of member states of the african union, meeting in the third ordinary session of our assembly in addis ababa, ethiopia, from 68 july 2004. Southern african development community sadc protocol on gender and. All these instruments global, regional and national have significantly contributed to the advancement of gender equality in africa among the african union au member. The solemn declaration on gender equality in africa sdgea. Agenda 2063 is the blueprint and master plan for transforming africa into the global powerhouse of the future.