Maputo, July 12, 2023 – This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol, a landmark agreement that has played a crucial role in promoting and protecting women’s rights in Africa. Adopted on July 11, 2003 by the African Union, the Maputo Protocol is a legally binding instrument that has strengthened the rights of women in all spheres of life, including refugee women who are often among the most vulnerable.
The Maputo Protocol was designed to fill the existing gaps in international and regional treaties on women’s rights in Africa. It established a comprehensive legal framework to ensure gender equality, non-discrimination, political participation, access to justice, sexual and reproductive health, as well as protection from violence against women. women. This visionary protocol also recognized the specific rights of refugee women, who face unique challenges and systematic violations of their human rights.
Refugee women are often forced to flee their country of origin due to armed conflict, persecution, sexual violence or natural disasters. They find themselves in situations of heightened vulnerability, exposed to violence, exploitation and discrimination. The Maputo Protocol recognizes these realities and commits to protecting the human rights of refugee women, including their right to life, dignity, liberty and security.
Under the Maputo Protocol, States Parties have committed to take concrete measures to ensure the protection of refugee women. This includes putting in place appropriate policies and legal mechanisms to prevent violence against them, as well as to investigate, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of such violence. States parties are also required to provide equal access to health services, including sexual and reproductive health care, as well as education and sustainable livelihoods.
Despite these commitments, refugee women continue to face many challenges. Sexual and gender-based violence remains an alarming reality in conflict and displacement situations, and access to essential services often remains limited. It is therefore imperative that States Parties intensify their efforts to fully implement the provisions of the Maputo Protocol and to support refugee women in their quest for security, justice and empowerment.
In this regard, the African Union has called on the 11 States that have not yet ratified the Maputo Protocol to do so, stressing the importance of its universal adoption.. In addition, the African Union urged the 44 signatory States to accelerate the implementation of the protocol in order to strengthen the protection of the rights of refugee women in Africa.
As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Maputo Protocol, it is important to recognize the progress made, but also to underline the urgency for more action. Refugee women deserve to be protected and supported, and they must be included in all decision-making processes that affect them. By collaborating with civil society organizations, humanitarian actors and international partners, we can work together to build a future where the rights of refugee women are fully respected and their potential is fully realized.
The Maputo Protocol has laid the foundations for positive transformation for refugee women, but much remains to be done. On this important anniversary, let us reaffirm our commitment to fight for the rights of refugee women and to create a more equitable and inclusive world for all. By joining forces, we can create a world where the human rights of all women, including refugee women, are fully respected and protected. States parties should intensify their efforts to fully implement the provisions of the Maputo Protocol, thereby ensuring the protection and empowerment of refugee women in Africa.
By Claudine N