1.1. Constitutional Provisions

1. CENTRAL AFRICA

Most countries have specific provisions concerning the right to equal representation in public and private life and the right not to be excluded from political life based on gender.

1.1. Constitutional Provisions

Most countries have specific provisions concerning the right to equal representation in public and private life and the right not to be excluded from political life based on gender, or there is a requirement for political parties to respect principles of gender representation enshrined in the national constitution. During the AWD, four countries (Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea) made constitutional reforms enshrining quotas or equitable representation for women in political life. At a minimum, all countries contain constitutional provisions that could be invoked as protection from violence. These include the principle of the right to life, to moral integrity and to live free from degrading treatment or torture. Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad and DR Congo all enshrine the notion of protection of women. During the AWD, Chad strengthened its Constitution in 2018 concerning VAW and harmful practices.1659 Notably, two countries (Central African Republic, DR Congo) have sustained conflict and instability since before or the beginning of the AWD. The Constitution of DR Congo refers explicitly to eliminating sexual violence against women,1660 while Central African Republic prohibits rape and obligates the state to protect women and children from violence and insecurity.1661