NGO Forum: The protection of women’s rights remains a concern for civil society

During the three days of the NGO Forum days, the following panels on women rights were held: 

• From Invisibility to Accountability to Secure Sanitation as a Right for Women and Girls in Africa. 
• Customary and traditionalist practices affecting the enjoyment of women’s health, economic, and social rights in Africa. 
• Beyond ceasefires: countering backlash through feminist approaches to peace and justice. 
• Defending rights in hostile contexts: attacks on human rights actors advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in the context of shrinking civic space and gender backlash. 

In line with the African Union annual theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063”, the different panels discussed the access of women to water and sanitation and the protection of their rights in different contexts.  

The panels recognised the persistent obstacles to the full realisation of women rights despite the different efforts. Women continue to face challenges due to historical practices, social patterns, and political contexts.  During these panels, the various panellists shared their experiences of innovative methods for advancing women’s rights, even in hostile environments. These methods include legal advice, guidance and support, capacity building, mediation, advocacy with leaders and authorities and engagement with international mechanisms.  

In relation to the AU theme, Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa encouraged the adoption of measures to facilitate the access of women to water and sanitation including in rural areas to ease their enjoyment of, especially, sexual and reproductive rights in the best condition.