Special Rapporteur on Women's
Rights [français]
Resolution and Mandate |
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MANDATE
The legal basis of the creation of a post of Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa is stipulated under Articles 45(b) and 66 of the African Charter and in Chapter VI of the Rules of Procedures of the Commission, which governs establishment of subsidiary bodies of the Commission.
The Commission noted with interest the concerns raised by women in support of declarations, resolutions and recommendations stemming from conferences and summits organised during the past 20 years, the last being Beijing in 1995, which took into account the relevant observations of the Vienna Conference on Human Rights of 1993 and the Dakar World Conference on Women of 1994.
At its level, the African Commission noticed that the rights of women are so much important and not enough taken into account by the African Charter and other legal human rights instruments. The decision to appoint a Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa was adopted at the 19th Ordinary Session of the Commission, which took place from 26th March to 4th April 1996 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
The mission of the SRRWA includes the following:
- Carrying out studies on the situation of Women’s Rights in Africa;
- Drawing up guidelines for the preparation and consideration of periodic reports of States Parties on the situation of Women’s Rights in Africa so as to enhance the monitoring of the implementation of the African Charter by the African Commission;
- Assisting African governments in the preparation and implementation of policies for the promotion and protection of human rights and sensitising them on women’s rights;
- Working in collaboration with NGOs and other organizations and bodies working for the promotion and protection of Women’s Rights so as to harmonize initiatives on Women’s Rights. In this regard, the SRRWA will have to collaborate with other Special Rapporteurs from the United Nations and other regional systems;
- Working towards the ratification by all Member States of the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa;
- Reporting to the African Commission and making recommendations geared towards improving the situation of Women in Africa.
The Special Rapporteur’s competence covers all Member States of the African Union (AU) and parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. She may also contact any other State that has a body, which is likely to provide information on the rights of African women.
The Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa reports to the
African Commission at each of its sessions, on the progress she is achieving in
her work and the difficulties she encountered in fulfilling her mandate. The
report of the SRRWA is part of the Commission’s report to the Assembly of Heads
of State and Government of the African Union.
RESOLUTION ON THE DESIGNATION OF A SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting in its 25th Ordinary Session, in Bujumbura, Burundi, 26 April – 5 May 1999,
Recalling the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women;
Recalling further the provisions of article 18.3 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
Referring to the provisions of article 45.1(a) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
Recognising the need to place particular emphasis on the problems and rights specific to women in Africa;
Recalling further the decision taken by the Commission at its 23rd Ordinary Session, held in Banjul (The Gambia) to designate Mrs. Julienne Ondziel-Gnelenga to the post of Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa;
DESIGNATES Mrs .Julienne Ondziel-Gnelenga to the
post of Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa for a period of two
years, subject to renewal, with effect from 31st October
1998.
Bujumbura, 5th May 1999
RESOLUTION ON THE RENEWAL OF THE MANDATE OF THE TERM OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at its 34th Ordinary Session that took place from 6th to 20th November 2003 in Banjul, The Gambia,Recalling the resolution it adopted at its 25th Ordinary Session that took place from 26th April to 5th May 1999 in Bujumbura, Burundi, in which it appointed a Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa;
Recalling further the provisions of Article 18(3) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
Referring further the provisions of Article 45(1)a of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights;
Recalling the decision taken at the 30th Ordinary Session,
which took place in October 2001 in Banjul, the Gambia, regarding nominating
Commissioner Angela Melo Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in
Africa;
Considering the necessity to allow the Special
Rapporteur to continue to carry out her mandate;
Decides to renew the mandate of Angela Melo as Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa for a period of two (2) years;
Requests the Secretariat of the African Commission to enhance its efforts to mobilise resources that could assist the Special Rapporteur to carry out her mandate.
Banjul, 19th November 2003
Protocol on the Rights of Women |
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Reports on Activities |
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