In addition, in February 2024, during their 37th AU Summit, the Heads of State reiterated their commitment to support and conclude the negotiations and submit a draft Convention for adoption in February 2025. Once adopted, the CEVAWG will be the first continental legal instrument for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, demonstrating African leadership in efforts to end VAWG globally.
Learn more about the Drafting of the Convention here.
4. The 2023 Reports of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa.
Adopted by AU Heads of State and Government at their July 2004 Summit, the SDGEA is divided into six thematic areas of action: Health, Peace and Security, Governance, Human Rights, Education and Women’s Empowerment.
There are two important obligations in the SDGEA. The first is in Paragraph 13, which enjoins the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) to submit an annual report for the consideration of the Heads of State and Government on measures taken to implement the principles of gender equality and gender mainstreaming as per the articles of the SDGEA.
The second is in Paragraph 12, which further enjoins AU Heads of State and Government to report annually on their progress in gender mainstreaming at the Summit
The 9th STC on GEWE will consider and adopt the 2023 SDGEA reports.
5. Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action plus 30 Review/ The Africa Pre-Commission on the Status of Women 69 Consultation (Pre-CSW69).
In 2025, the global community will mark the thirtieth (30th) anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995. In March 2025, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing+30/B+30), the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) will undertake a review and appraisal of progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and accelerate the realization of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of all women and girls.
Accordingly, all States are required to undertake comprehensive national-level reviews of the progress made and challenges encountered in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
In that regard, all AU Member States (MS) have been requested to submit their B+30 national reports to assess implementation and identify challenges encountered in the twelve (12) Beijing Critical Areas of Concern. These are Women and poverty; Education and training of women; Women and health; Violence against Women; Women and armed conflict; Women and the economy; Women in power and decision-making; Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of Women; Human rights of Women, Women and the media; Women and the environment and the Girl-child. The national reports will culminate into the development of the Africa Review Report on Beijing+30, which will be considered at CSW69.
