According to the U.N. Study, the aspects of the draft protocol adopted in 1999 addressed inadequacies in the 1981 African Charter for the protection of women. "The draft protocol distinguishes between positive and negative cultural practices and sees the role of women equally with men in safeguarding traditional principles of equality, justice and democracy. This is an ambitious draft which, if adopted, could fill many gaps in other instruments in Africa and the world as well as taking forward the principles of Vienna and Beijing. Pressing issues such as concern about violence against women, notably female genital mutilation, can stimulate legal action." The U.N. Study makes this cautionary note: "However the Conventions and other instruments refer much more to traditional customs than to religion. States must have the will to address negative practices which are based on or imputed to religion and which are not in conformity with women's human rights."

The organizations below address these and other issues of religion and traditions affecting women's human rights based on the Draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights With Regard to Women's Rights in Africa. Click on the title of an organization to view the abstract of their work and where to contact them. Click on Reference Documents to the left or read the Draft Protocol With Regard to Women's Rights in Africa. Click on the news and research buttons to check and see if there is additional information on C2: Draft Protocol to the African Charter on People's Rights with Regard to Women's Rights in Africa.

Women's NGO'S
European Women’s Lobby (EWL)
UN NGO Committee on the Status of Women, Geneva
UN NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York
Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
Women's Learning Partnership (WLP)
WOMANKIND Worldwide

Human Rights NGO'S
Rights and Democracy–Droits et Democratie
Human Strategies for Human Rights (HSHR)
UN NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Geneva
UN NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, New York

Religions & Associations

Academic Institutions
Fatima Seedat

Civil Society

Governments
Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW)
The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)

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