African Union Adopts Landmark Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

Q: What Does the AUCEVAWG Represent?

Building upon the Maputo Protocol—particularly Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 26—the Convention establishes a comprehensive legal framework aimed at preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls across Africa. It also reinforces the responsibility of States to develop legal, institutional, and policy mechanisms that ensure protection, support, and dignity for victims. Among its principal objectives are: - Establishing a legally binding framework that promotes respect for human rights, gender equality, and the dignity of women and girls. - Encouraging States Parties to adopt a coordinated approach to eliminating violence against women and girls while fostering open public dialogue and stronger support for survivors. - Eliminating harmful practices, including female genital mutilation (FGM) and child, early, and forced marriage. - Strengthening domestic legislation addressing domestic violence, workplace sexual harassment, and conflict-related sexual violence.

Janaína Albuquerque

Jul 22

3 min read

Updated: Jul 22

The African Union (AU) has reached a historic legal milestone with the adoption of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AUCEVAWG). The treaty was adopted during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on February 15–16, 2025.

The AUCEVAWG strengthens the regional legal framework for combating gender-based violence, joining other landmark international and regional instruments such as the Beijing Declaration (1995 – United Nations), the Convention of Belém do Pará (1994 – Organization of American States), and the Istanbul Convention (2011 – Council of Europe).

What Does the AUCEVAWG Represent?

Building upon the Maputo Protocol—particularly Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, and 26—the Convention establishes a comprehensive legal framework aimed at preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls across Africa.

It also reinforces the responsibility of States to develop legal, institutional, and policy mechanisms that ensure protection, support, and dignity for victims.

Among its principal objectives are:

Establishing a legally binding framework that promotes respect for human rights, gender equality, and the dignity of women and girls.
Encouraging States Parties to adopt a coordinated approach to eliminating violence against women and girls while fostering open public dialogue and stronger support for survivors.
Eliminating harmful practices, including female genital mutilation (FGM) and child, early, and forced marriage.
Strengthening domestic legislation addressing domestic violence, workplace sexual harassment, and conflict-related sexual violence.

One particularly noteworthy aspect of the Convention is the inclusive process through which it was developed. The African Union created a Citizen Engagement Platform, allowing Africans both on the continent and throughout the diaspora to contribute to the drafting process. This participatory approach sought to ensure that the Convention reflects the lived experiences and priorities of the communities it is intended to protect.

The Challenges Ahead

While the adoption of the AUCEVAWG represents a major achievement, the work is far from complete.

The Convention must now be ratified by African Union Member States before its provisions become legally binding at the national level. Ratification is an essential step toward transforming the Convention's commitments into concrete legal protections and public policies.

Its implementation may also face significant challenges, including:

Limited funding for victim support services and prevention programs.
The absence—or weak implementation—of domestic legislation aligned with international legal standards.
The persistence of deeply rooted patriarchal norms and social practices that continue to fuel gender-based violence.

Once the Convention has been incorporated into domestic legal systems, States Parties will be required to submit periodic reports detailing the measures they have adopted, the progress achieved, and the challenges encountered in implementing their obligations.

The AUCEVAWG will enter into force 30 days after the deposit of the fifteenth instrument of ratification, a threshold that many observers expect to be reached without significant delay.