Amnesty International celebrated a significant stride in women’s rights as the Central African Republic (CAR) ratified the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, widely known as the Maputo Protocol. This pivotal treaty, which came into effect in 2005, is a cornerstone in the fight for gender equality and women’s empowerment on the African continent.

Abdoulaye Diarra, a senior researcher at Amnesty International, hailed this development as a “welcome and long-awaited step in promoting and protecting women and girls’ rights in the country.” He emphasized the urgent need for the Central African authorities to “take necessary measures to ensure the full implementation of the Maputo Protocol.” This includes adopting comprehensive laws against gender-based violence (GBV), promoting gender equality, strengthening the justice system, enhancing support services for survivors, and boosting community awareness, particularly in rural areas.

The Maputo Protocol advocates for the elimination of discrimination against women and underscores the importance of women’s rights to control their reproductive health. It mandates protection against sexually transmitted infections and the right to choose contraception methods.

As of now, 46 out of the 55 African Union member countries have ratified the protocol, with Egypt and Morocco yet to sign or ratify. Despite the extensive adoption, regions like the Central African Republic still face significant challenges. According to the United Nations Population Fund, around 60 percent of births in CAR are not attended by skilled health personnel, 22 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone female genital mutilation, and 61 percent of girls are married before the age of 18. Moreover, a troubling 21 percent of individuals have experienced intimate partner violence in the past year.

The ratification by CAR comes at a critical time when gender-based violence and inequality remain rampant, not just in CAR but across many parts of Africa. Amnesty International has also called on Niger and Chad, the remaining countries in West and Central Africa that have not ratified the Maputo Protocol, to follow suit promptly. The urgency of these actions is underscored by ongoing human rights violations against women in conflict-ridden areas like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Nigeria.

This ratification marks a hopeful step towards substantial improvements in the lives of many women and girls in the Central African Republic and sets a precedent for other nations to strengthen their commitment to women’s rights and gender equality.