The African Union Accountability Framework on the Elimination of Harmful Practices

The purpose of the African Union Accountability Framework on the elimination of harmful practices in Africa is to ensure that good performance measurement and monitoring practices are in place to track progress on the elimination of harmful practices by AU Member States.The Framework is a result of a request to the Commission by AU Heads of State and Government, emanating from AU Assembly Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.737(XXXII) on “Galvanizing Political Commitment Towards the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Africa. The outcome of the framework is to strengthened AU and its Member States’ delivery on Agenda 2063 aspirations on the elimination of female genital mutilation and child marriage, with a clarified process, guidelines and measures of actions on the ground. The framework will catalyse use of data and evidence to conduct regular assessment of progress across the continent, while facilitating engagement and contributions from non-state actors (including civil society organisations) to advance and accelerate action, and strengthen accountability on eliminating harmful practices in Africa. This will be done working through the AU Human Rights organs’ processes, by paying particular attention on State party reporting regarding action and progress to eliminate harmful practices. The key actors to support the implementation of the accountability framework will include: The African Union Commission Departments, Member States, AU organs ( ACERWC, ACHPR, PAP), Regional Economic Commissions ( RECs) and other partners.