In a historic development for women’s and girls’ rights across the continent, six African Union (AU) Member States have officially signed the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
The countries are Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Liberia, and The Gambia.
The signing took place on the margins of the AU’s 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, held from July 10 to 13, 2025, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
Adopted during the AU’s 38th Ordinary Session in February 2025, the instrument represents the first pan-African legally binding framework exclusively focused on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls across the continent in both public and private life.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights commended the six signatory Membership States for their leadership, describing the move as a “pivotal moment” in Africa’s efforts to tackle violence and discrimination against women and girls.
The Commission also hailed the decision as a “political will toward building a continent where the dignity, safety, and rights of all women and girls are fully protected, respected, and fulfilled.”
While applauding the milestone, the Commission stated that signing the Convention is just the first step, adding that for the treaty to take full legal effect, it must be ratified and incorporated into national law. The Commission urged the Governments of Angola, Burundi, Djibouti, DRC, Liberia, and The Gambia to proceed without delay in ratifying the AU Convention and take the necessary legislative and institutional measures to ensure its effective implementation.
The Commission also called on all other AU Member States to follow suit by signing, ratifying, and implementing the Convention in line with existing human rights frameworks, including the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol).
Reaffirming its commitment to supporting Member States, the Commission pledged to support the signatory States and other Member States in the ratification and implementation processes. This support includes providing technical guidance, facilitating constructive dialogue, and promoting best practices to ensure that commitments made at the continental level are translated into real, transformative change in the daily lives of women and girls.
Dignitaries present at the signing include Hon. Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, Vice Chairperson and Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa; Hon. Commissioner Essaiem Hatem, Country Rapporteur for the Republic of Djibouti; Hon. Commissioner Mudford Zachariah Mwandenga, Country Rapporteur for the Republic of Liberia; Hon. Dr. Commissioner Marie Louise Abomo, Country Rapporteur for the Republic of Angola, the Republic of Burundi, and the DRC; and Hon. Dr. Commissioner Litha Musyimi-Ogana, Country Rapporteur for the Republic of The Gambia.