Hon. Samia further highlighted that despite the existing intricate correlation between human rights and women rights, Africa still continues to experience, among other things the practice of female genital mutilation and early marriages, few education opportunities, low wages, human trafficking, domestic abuse and gender based violence. She therefore urged all African human rights institutions to continue their efforts in addressing challenges related to the promotion and protection of these rights in order to maintain their relevance.
The President of the African Court on Human and People’s Rights, Hon. Justice Sylvain Orě, underscored that the Dialogue would provide an opportunity to consolidate the gains already made over the years and ensure better coordination of human rights bodies on the continent, based on the ideals encapsulated in AU’s Agenda 2063. ‘’It is hoped that the celebrations will initiate an advocacy and coordinating campaigns that will effectively reach out to African stakeholders and partners at all levels,’’ he added. Hon. Justice Sylvain emphasized the need for human rights institutions on the continent to work in more active synergy with Regional Economic Community organs adding that the adoption by ECOWAS, the EAC and SADC of similar norms on human rights, democracy and good governance requires us to work more towards the harmonization rather than the duplication of norms.
Representing the Commissioner for Political Affairs Department of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi in his statement was the Director of AUC Department of Political Affairs, Dr. Khabele Matlosa who stated that “As we gather here today to reflect critically on the state of human rights in Africa with particular focus on the rights of women, we should not forget that history is the best teacher for all of us.”
In addition, Dr. Matlosa recalled that since the transformation from OAU to the AU, the continent has moved from norms setting to institutional building in the field of human and peoples’ rights in general, and the rights of women in particular, with the adoption of several human rights instruments. “The Africa we want will depend largely on the importance given to the promotion, protection and observance of human and peoples’ rights on the continent.” He reiterated.
The Dialogue which was full to capacity and attended by distinguished permanent representatives to the African Union, representatives of the UN, the AU and the African Court, regional organizations, civil society and academics among others, ended with group and plenary discussions centered around topics such as the State of Human Rights in Africa, the Normative Framework of Human Rights in Africa: Development, Trends and challenges, the rights of Women in Africa as well as the role of Civil Society organizations in the promotion and protection of Human Rights in Africa.