Journal of Social Science for Policy Implications

Women’s Rights in Africa: Exploring the Integration of CEDAW and ACHPR in Addressing Violence against Women
Ebenezer Kojo Gyesi Mensah

Abstract
In Africa, the quest for women’s rights has been marked by widespread gender-based violence, entrenched discrimination, and restricted access to economic, healthcare, and educational opportunities. Despite these formidable obstacles, it is crucial to advance women’s rights given that women make up approximately half of the continent’s population. International instruments like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) affirm women’s entitlement to equality and freedom from discrimination. Moreover, regional agreements such as the Maputo Protocol and legal frameworks like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) offer additional safeguards for women’s rights across Africa. These global agreements and legal frameworks play crucial roles in advocating for women’s rights, shaping policies, and reforming laws to tackle gender-based discrimination and promote women’s empowerment. However, effectively implementing these instruments within African national contexts to combat violence against women presents challenges due to inherent weaknesses and complexities. This paper explores the impact of CEDAW and ACHPR on addressing women’s rights, specifically violence against women.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jsspi.v12n1a1