Solidarity for African Women's Rights (SOAWR)

"As anti-rights movements gain momentum across Africa, feminist advocates gathered at the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to reaffirm the Maputo Protocol as a powerful weapon for resistance, solidarity, and accountability."

Find out more about our live podcast recording in Banjul - reporting by Fatou Dahaba of The Alkamba Times
https://alkambatimes.com/african-feminists-rally-behind-maputo-protocol-amid-growing-anti-rights-backlash-in-banjul/

Thanks to SOAWR Members Make Every Woman Count (MEWC), Equality Now Africa, Center for Reproductive Rights, Akina Mama wa Afrika and SIHA Network for making this episode possible.

African Feminists Rally Behind Maputo Protocol Amid Growing Anti-Rights Backlash in Banjul - The Alkamba Times By: Fatou Dahaba As anti-rights movements gain momentum across Africa, feminist advocates gathered at the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to reaffirm the Maputo Protocol as a powerful weapon for resistance, solidarity, and accountability. In a charged a...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aznnEq_JFQ
Watch our statement at

The SOAWR Coalition makes key demands regarding:
1. A Call for the Universal Ratification of the Maputo Protocol
2. Strengthening Implementation of the Maputo Protocol through the Withdrawal of Reservations on Some Provisions of the Maputo Protocol
3. Persistent Non-Compliance with the Two-Thirds Gender Principle in Kenya
4. Nigeria’s Compliance with the Maputo Protocol on Women’s and Girls’ Rights
5. Concerns Over Senegal’s Amended Article 319 and Human Rights Compliance
6. Ending Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa

Thanks to Esther Waweru from Equality Now Africa for representing the Coalition in Banjul.

You can also read the full statement here: https://soawr.org/2026/05/12/soawrs-statement-at-the-87th-ordinary-session-of-the-achpr/

SOAWR Coalition Statement at the 87th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR See SOAWR’s full statement as read on May 12th, 2026 at the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, The Gambi...

In Banjul for ?

🎙️Be part of a live recording of our All Things Maputo Protocol podcast with Nyokabi Njogu & Ramatoulie Jallow, with a chance to share your perspective too!

📍 Thematic Room 3
🗓 15 May | 🕜 1:30 PM
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

➡️ Register here: bit.ly/GC6-Toolkit-Launch

Recent headlines across Africa have reignited urgent questions on spousal property rights and family law reform. How do we truly value women’s contributions to marriage, from unpaid care and domestic work to financial and entrepreneurial support? And are current legal frameworks delivering justice upon divorce, separation, or annulment?

Join us alongside the Initiative For Gender Equality and Development In Africa. IGED-Africa, Equality Now Africa, and the Africa Family Law Network for a timely webinar exploring spousal property rights through the lens of the Maputo Protocol and General Comment No. 6.

The session will also feature the e-launch of a new toolkit on GC6: a landmark resource recognising both monetary and non-monetary contributions in the equitable distribution of spousal property.
📅 Tuesday, 21 April 2026
🕒 11:00–14:00 GMT | 14:00–17:00 EAT
📍 Zoom
This is a conversation you do not want to miss.

Today marks 3 years of the civil war in Sudan.

Join us and our member organisation SIHA Network in calling for an end to the conflict, and in particular, an end to the violence against women and girls, an end to impunity, and an end to the sidelining of women’s experiences.

This episode illuminates that Sudanese women are not on the periphery but at the very centre of this conflict, by design.

We eagerly anticipate the day when Sudanese women's agency and voices shape an enduring peace and an accountability framework that is committed to "equality, respect and diversity". - Hala Al-Karib

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCk837Qz0Fc&t=801s

النساء والحرب والمقاومة: السودان من منظور بروتوكول مابوتو مرحبًا بكم مجددًا في سلسلة بودكاستنا التي تستكشف دور بروتوكول مابوتو في القضاء على العنف ضد المرأة في أفريقيا! في هذه الحلقة، توجه مقدمة البرنامج من شبكة SOA...

"This particular war in Sudan is absolutely centralised around women's bodies and women's existence... this is war against our voices."

As we approach the three year anniversary of the war in Sudan, let's re-centre women's agency, experiences and messages.
Hear the full conversation: bit.ly/SOAWR-Podcast

We're grateful to our three guests from SIHA Network who spoke with such power and honesty.

For our Arabic speakers, check out the captioned video version via our website and YouTube.



This podcast is supported by UN Women Africa - ONU Femmes Afrique, European Commission & Equality Now Africa.

MPower NGO in collaboration with Solidarity for African Women's Rights (SOAWR) and Equality Now invites you for a full day workshop on "𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥.”

📅Date: 17th March 2026
🕘Time: 9 am to 4 pm
📍Venue: Flying Dodo Bagatelle
👥Participants: NGOs and Civil Society

➡️For Registration, 📞 5257 6493/ 5858 7956 or 📨 [email protected]

In this Month of Women, African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) proudly celebrates the inspiring leadership and unwavering advocacy of Madam Faiza Mohamed, Coordinator of SOAWR Secretariat. Through her tireless work advancing gender equality and defending the rights of women and girls across Africa, Madam Faiza remains a powerful voice for justice, accountability, and transformative change. Her commitment to amplifying African women’s voices and strengthening regional advocacy efforts remains an inspiration to many working toward a more equal and inclusive continent.