Women’s rights advocates, policymakers, and civil society leaders from across Africa have gathered in Dar es Salaam to chart the path forward for the newly adopted African Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG), a historic African Union (AU) treaty dedicated exclusively to eradicating gender-based violence.
Adopted in February 2025 by the AU, the convention is being hailed as a groundbreaking, legally binding instrument that addresses the continent’s pressing crisis of femicide, cyberviolence, economic abuse, and other forms of violence against women and girls. It sets standards for protection, prevention, prosecution, and survivor support across member states.
“This milestone is key because it is built on decades of feminist advocacy across Africa,” said Maureen Anyango, the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) lead at FEMNET. “It responds to legal fragmentation and implementation gaps that have long hindered justice for survivors.”
The regional convening, co-organized by FEMNET and UN Women, is designed to create a women-led and inclusive platform to help grassroots organizations understand the provisions of the EVAWG Convention and push for its ratification, domestication, and monitoring at the national level.
Felister Mdemu, Deputy Permanent Secretary in Tanzania’s Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, stressed that collective effort is key. “This journey cannot be achieved by governments alone. We need collaboration from development partners and civil society to see this through,” she said during the forum’s opening session.
Participants also emphasized the importance of male engagement. Bernard Adalla, a member of Kenya’s Siaya County Assembly, called for men to take accountability. “It’s time for men to come out of their cocoons. Violence against women often stems from unexpressed emotions. We must break the cycle and be allies,” he urged.
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) describe the treaty’s adoption as a hard-won victory following years of relentless lobbying. Many are now focused on encouraging AU member states to formally ratify the convention. As of July 2025, countries that have signed or ratified the treaty include Angola, Burundi, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and The Gambia.
Kenya, though yet to ratify, has expressed its intention to do so, signaling growing continental momentum behind the agreement.
CSOs are optimistic that the convention will lead to meaningful change. “It’s more than a document, it’s a transformative tool for justice, equality, and dignity,” said one advocacy group representative.
As Africa moves to translate the EVAWG Convention from paper into policy, the Dar es Salaam convening marks a pivotal moment in mobilizing women-led action for a safer, more just continent.
Written By Rodney Mbua
