In February 2023, the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government took a historic step by adopting a landmark decision to negotiate an African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG), the first continental legal instrument aimed at preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls and other vulnerable groups.

At the 37th AU Summit in February 2024, the Heads of State reaffirmed their commitment to concluding negotiations and finalizing the draft Convention by February 2025. In November of this year, African Ministers of Gender convened for a Ministerial Consultative Meeting at the AU, during which they adopted the draft African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. This demonstrates Africa’s leadership in the global fight against gender-based violence. 

The landmark AU-CEVAWG represents a critical opportunity to close gaps in existing frameworks and ensure that all forms of violence against women and girls are recognized, prevented, and addressed through coordinated, effective, and culturally sensitive approaches, and will establish a unified, legally binding framework that emphasizes accountability and supports Member States in protecting the rights and dignity of women and girls across Africa.

This is a timely development for Tanzania, where just this year, the country has launched critical frameworks such as the Gender Policies for Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, and the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children.

The African Women Leaders Network Tanzania Chapter (AWLN-Tanzania) commends the Government of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar for their ongoing efforts and achievements under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan—a patron for AWLN-Tanzania and a continental AWLN Elder—and President Hussein Ali Mwinyi in advancing women's rights and empowerment, and addressing violence against women and girls.

We further applaud the ongoing efforts of the AU in developing the AU-CEVAWG and welcome the 10th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs to review the draft Convention, and are very pleased that it is taking place in Zanzibar under the chairmanship of Tanzania. This session is a pivotal step toward adopting this groundbreaking Convention.

At the Ministerial Consultative Meeting held in November, Ministers of Gender recommended the establishment of a dedicated Committee to oversee and enforce the provisions of the AU-CEVAWG, and AWLN-Tanzania would like to express its support for this recommendation, recognizing the importance of such a Committee to ensure accountability by monitoring progress, advocating for robust implementation, and holding Member States to their commitments.

As the African Union advances toward finalizing the AU-CEVAWG, AWLN-Tanzania stands in solidarity with all stakeholders in steadfast support and advocacy in ending all forms of violence against women and girls and remains committed to advancing joint efforts towards a safer and more equitable future for all women and girls across the continent.

At the November Ministerial Consultation Meeting, the Gender Ministers proposed the establishment of a special committee to manage and implement the provisions of AU-CEVAWG. AWLN-Tanzania expressed its support for this recommendation, recognizing the importance of such a Committee to ensure accountability by monitoring progress, advocating for robust implementation, and holding Member States to their commitments.