5. Background

The year 2020 held many important milestones for women’s rights and gender equality. It marked the 10th and final year of AWD 2020–2020, on “Grassroots Approach to Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment,” as well as the 20th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 and the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Furthermore, 17 years ago, the AU Member States adopted the progressive Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (known as the Maputo Protocol) on women’s rights and gender equality and set 2020 as the deadline for ratification. As of November 2020, 42 countries out of 55 had ratified the Protocol (10 have not ratified and 3 have neither signed nor ratified). 2020 was also the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to, among other things, ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages (SDG 3) and achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls (SDG 5).

With the adoption of the AWD, AU Member States showed a renewed commitment to advancing women’s rights and gender equality through the accelerated implementation of gender frameworks. Member States have sought to achieve the AWD objectives through a top-down and bottom-up approach that has placed a specific emphasis on grassroots participation. Over the Decade, African governments progressed and made laudable achievements on the 10 AWD themes. More women are members of parliament and hold ministerial positions, and some countries have achieved parity. Notably, four African countries (Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa) rank among the top 10 countries with the highest representation of women in national parliaments globally. Several countries have achieved parity in secondary and tertiary education. The overall education rate of girls and young women has increased, and more women have received a degree in science and technology. African governments have adopted constitutional provisions on gender equality and non-discrimination and implemented laws, policies and strategies that aim to strengthen women’s rights and empowerment and open up opportunities for women and girls. At the national, regional and continental levels, African governments have implemented campaigns that highlight gender commitments, for example reduction of maternal mortality, and sought to accelerate action to address them.

Women’s rights activists, organisations and grassroots movements played an essential role in advancing women’s rights and empowerment throughout the Decade. Their dedication and commitment have contributed to the adoption of laws, policies and strategies on women’s rights and gender equality. CSO shadow reports have helped hold governments accountable. During the Decade, there was also a noticeable increase in the incidence of youth movements joining and contributing to advancing women’s rights and gender equality, advancing the perspective of the younger generation by voicing their needs and opinions. There has also been a strong movement to include marginalised groups.

Despite the progress made on advancing the AWD objectives over the Decade, challenges and barriers remain that prevent African women and girls from fully enjoying their rights. Implementation and domestication of women’s rights frameworks vary. Conflicting legal

systems prevent the effective and full implementation of gender equality and women’s rights laws, allowing discriminatory and harmful practices to continue. African women have unequal access to resources such as land and capital, despite making up a majority of employees in the agriculture sector. Women working in the informal sector lack social protection and rely on uncertain incomes. Moreover, women hold the primary responsibility for unpaid care work. Although women make up half of the population, in more than half of African countries many are unable to participate in the decisions that directly affect them. Women have been excluded from or given limited or token representation in peace-building and conflict prevention mechanisms, resulting in outcomes that have weak or non-existent commitments to women’s rights and gender equality. Women also are excluded from fully participating in governance. More women live in poverty; more girls than boys drop out of school; and women are more likely to face uncertain employment and lack access to financial resources. They also face social and cultural constraints and experience violence and discrimination.

Meanwhile, improvements on women’s rights exist in an unstable environment that threatens to halt or reverse progress made at the national, regional, continental and international levels. Unrest, conflict and wars aggravate the situation for women and girls and reduce the resources and space available for women’s rights activists and organisations, which often face restrictions, threats, violence and intimidation. While the Decade saw spaces open for women and girls’ participation, the reverse is also true, with a rise of conservative, sometimes ultraconservative, and fundamentalist views.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments have imposed restrictions, shifted their priorities and reallocated resources. The pandemic is augmenting the challenges that remain and deepening existing gender inequalities as women are disproportionately affected. Violations of women’s human rights are increasing. Incidence of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and child marriage is on the rise. Women working in the informal sector are without income and protection. Women who experience violence have no system to provide them with support and protection. As governments impose lockdowns and curfews, girls and young women are prevented from going to school, and in some cases face increasing child marriage. Meanwhile,

Women have been excluded from or given limited or token representation in peace-building and conflict prevention mechanisms, resulting in outcomes that have weak or non-existent commitments to women’s rights and gender equality.