AWLN Elders' Advocacies Towards the Historic Adoption of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG)
ADDIS ABABA – The African Union (AU) made history with the adoption of the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG) during its 46thOrdinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th AU Assembly of Heads of State, held February 15-16, 2025. This landmark decision marks a pivotal moment in the adoption of the continent's first dedicated legal instrument aimed at ending all forms of violence against women and girls.
The African Union Commission (AUC), under the leadership of Chairperson H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, worked alongside H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Patron of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), and H.E. Madam Bineta Diop, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security.With the support of the AU Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD), they spearheaded efforts to establish this groundbreaking convention.
Furthermore, this initiative has been strongly supported by several AU Heads of State, foremost among them H.E. President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), who serves as the AU Champion on Positive Masculinity and convened the 1st AU Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity in Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls. He is supported by several Heads of State, who are part of the AU Circle of Champions on Positive Masculinity.
Extensive multi-stakeholder consultations were conducted to accompany the development of the AU CEVAWG and ensure that the voices of African women, men and youth are fully and effectively included in the Convention. With the support of Member States including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Senegal, Comoros, Ghana, and others, the consultations were held online and in-person with Traditional and Religious leaders; Youth; Women Leaders; Private Sector; Academia and Civil Society Organizations across the Continent. The outcomes of these consultations were integrated into various drafts of the Convention.
This year, AWLN Elders led two advocacy platforms to mobilize more support towards the adoption of the Convention.
First, the High-Level Roundtable brought together key stakeholders and partners to strengthen AWLN’s vision and partnership and advocate for the adoption of the CEVAWG. AWLN Elders, including H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, H.E. Catherine Samba-Panza, H.E. Joyce Banda, H.E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, H.E. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlaminia-Zuma and others, have played crucial roles in advocating for gender-responsive policies and mentoring the next generation of leaders throughout the CEVAWG process. Leveraging their strategic influence, these esteemed former Heads of State and women leaders mobilized political support, engaged key decision-makers and championed gender-responsive policies.
In her statement during the 38th Ordinary Assembly, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, AWLN Patron, highlighted that “the adoption, if done, will be greeted with waves of gratitude, praise and hope by millions of African women. They will know that you thought of them and are in solidarity with them in their suffering - whether they are suffering from abuse and violence in domestic settings or as a result of conflict. You will have taken an important and groundbreaking decision - one which models not only for Africa, but for the world. This is the first of its kind.” She also recognized Mme Bineta Diop as “the engine behind this Convention and the process which led us to today”.
On the same day, Mme Bineta Diop, Special Envoy on WPS and AWLN Co-Convener, was recognized by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, AUC Chairperson, for her commitment and determination to promote women’s participation, leadership and effective integration of the AU agenda for peace and security processes and policies.
The Heads of State endorsed the AU Convention on EVAWG, reflecting a collective responsibility among member states to take decisive action in addressing violence against women and girls. This further demonstrates the resilience of the African Women Leaders Network and the mission entrusted to all of us by the Patron to defy all odds and “Dream Big.”
Call to Action
AWLN encourages all Member States to promptly initiate the domestication process, to ensure that the Convention is speedily brought into force, effectively integrated into national legal systems, and most importantly, fully implemented. We remain committed to working with Member States, relevant civil society organizations and development partners, to support this important process.
For further information or to engage with us, please contact the AWLN Secretariat at awlnetwork2017@gmail.com.
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