UN Women in Africa Celebrates the African Union’s Historic Adoption of the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

17 February 2025, ADDIS ABABA – UN Women warmly congratulates the African Union on adopting the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG), the continent’s first dedicated legal instrument aimed at ending all forms of violence against women and girls. The Convention comes at a time of renewed urgency in the push to advance gender justice for all women and girls.

“This is a pivotal moment for gender equality in Africa,” said Anna Mutavati, Regional Director at UN Women East and Southern Africa. “As we mark 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we urge the AU Member States to act promptly and ratify this Convention for it to come into effect. The CEVAWG builds on existing frameworks such as CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol and is tailored to address both contemporary challenges and the intersection between customary and formal legal systems.”

The 2025 Beijing +30 Africa Regional Review shows that progress towards gender equality remains uneven across the continent and aggregate data on violence against women and girls shows higher levels of intimate partner violence, femicide, female genital mutilation and child marriage in Africa, compared with other regions.

The Convention’s comprehensive approach is particularly crucial as Africa navigates multiple challenges—from the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to the realities of climate and economic crises and regional conflicts. The Convention framework can contribute to more coherence and comprehensive measures across AU member states for preventing and responding to all forms of violence against women and girls. The support by Heads of State Circle of Champions on Positive Masculinity for the Convention is a unique feature of the CEVAWG, which promotes positive forms of masculinity and greater accountability for women and girls.

Swift ratification by Member States is essential to fully unlock the Convention’s transformative potential and ensure practical, life-saving outcomes for women and girls across the continent.

UN Women reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with governments, regional bodies, civil society, development partners, the private sector and all stakeholders in translating the promise of the AU CEVAWG into lasting change—ensuring a future where every woman and girl lives free from violence and fear.

For further information, please contact:
James Ochweri
Communications Associate, UN Women East and Southern Africa
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Oumou Bangoura
Communications Officer, UN Women Liaison Office to the African Union and UN Economic Commission for Africa
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