African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

We, the Heads of State and Government of African Union Member States, reaffirm our commitment to the African Union Constitutive Act and core continental human rights frameworks, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. We also uphold legal instruments related to the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. We emphasize our continued support for African Union decisions and efforts aimed at achieving gender equality and ending all forms of violence against women and girls.

We specifically highlight Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.865(XXXV), adopted at the 36th Ordinary Session in February 2025, which mandated the development of an African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. We reaffirm our dedication to Agenda 2063, the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, and the AU Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (2018–2028).

We recognize the importance of aligning with regional and global frameworks that promote gender equality and commend national initiatives that address gender based violence. We acknowledge that such violence is deeply rooted in systemic inequality, discriminatory social norms and power imbalances.

We remain acutely aware that violence against women and girls is multifaceted physical, psychological, digital and occurs in all settings, including during conflict, crises, and disasters. We express grave concern over its widespread impact, recognizing it as a fundamental human rights violation that hinders sustainable and inclusive development across the continent.