African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 85th Ordinary Session
Banjul, from 7 - 30 October 2025
Intersession Report
Presented by Honorable Commissioner Janet R. Sallah-Njie
Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa
INTRODUCTION
1. In accordance with Rules 25(3) and 64 of the Rules of Procedure (2020) of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) and in line with its Resolution ACHPR/res.38 (XXV) 99 of 5 May 1999, I present this Report in my capacity as the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa (the SRRWA). The Report also covers my activities undertaken as a Member of the Commission during the period under review.
PART ONE: ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN AS A COMMISSIONER
A. Virtual 84th Ordinary Session
2. From 21 to 30 July 2025, I attended the Commission's 84th Ordinary Session (Private), convened virtually to consider Communications, outstanding Reports, and other matters.
PART TWO: COUNTRY MONITORING
A. Djibouti, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Liberia, The Gambia
Joint Letter of Commendation and Press Statement for the Signing of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AUCEVAWG)
3. On 15 July 2025, together with the Country Rapporteurs for these States, I sent a joint letter of commendation to, and issued a press statement commending, Djibouti, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Liberia, and The Gambia, recognizing their commitment to signing the AUCEVAWG.
B. Central African Republic
Joint Letter of Commendation for the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa
4. On 31 July 2025, together with the Country Rapporteur for the Central African Republic (CAR), I sent a letter of appreciation commending the Government of CAR for ratifying the Maputo Protocol. CAR became the 46th country to do so, marking an important step towards universal ratification of the Protocol.
C. The Gambia
Amicus curiae brief submitted to the Supreme Court of Gambia
5. In collaboration with the ACERWC and the Female Lawyers Association of The Gambia (FLAG), and with technical support from the Centre for Women’s Rights at the University of Pretoria, I filed an application for amicus curiae brief before the Supreme Court of The Gambia, in a case challenging the constitutionality of the rejection to the amendment of the Women’s Act that criminalized Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Joint Letter of Appeal
6. On 14 August 2025, in my capacity as SRRWA, together with the Special Rapporteur on Child Marriage and Other Harmful Practices and the Country Rapporteur of The Gambia of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), we issued an urgent appeal to the Government of The Gambia regarding the death of a one-month-old baby girl from complications following Female Genital Mutilation. In the letter, we urged the Government to conduct a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation into the circumstances of the child’s death and to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable in accordance with the Women’s (Amendment) Act, 2015.
D. Malawi
7. On 14 August 2025, together with the ACERWC, I issued a statement of condolence on the passing of Chief Theresa Kachindamoto. The statement highlighted that her legacy will remain alive, and extended our deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and all who mourn her loss.
E. Ghana
8. From 29 September to 2 October 2025, in my dual capacity as the SRRWA and the Country Rapporteur to Ghana, I, together with the Chairperson on the Prevention of Torture in Africa, the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations, the Special Rapporteur on Prisons, Conditions of Detention and Policing in Africa, and the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, conducted a promotional mission in Ghana. The mission aimed to gather information on the implementation of the African Charter and its Protocols, with a view to encouraging and assisting the State in its efforts to comply with these regional instruments.
PART THREE: ACTIVITIES AS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA
A. International Women, Peace and Security Forum, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo
9. From 2 to 3 June 2025, I also had the privilege of attending a Conference on Women, Peace and Security held in Kosovo, at the gracious invitation of Her Excellency Dr. Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of Kosovo. I had the opportunity to contribute to the Panel on “The Quiet Crisis: Mental Health in the Global Security Agenda.” I shared insights on the role of the Commission in addressing mental health challenges in conflict-affected settings.
B. Second Joint Retreat between the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Commission
10. From 2 to 3 June 2025, I participated in the Second Joint Retreat between the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Commission, which focused on Guidelines for implementing complementarity between the Court and the Commission. The Retreat also reviewed achievements since the 2022 Addis Ababa Retreat and adopted concrete measures to deepen collaboration between the two Organs.
C. 7th GIMAC/RECs and Partners Meeting
11. On 11 June 2025, I attended the 7th GIMAC/RECs and Partners Meeting in Malabo on the AU Theme of the Year: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.” I delivered a presentation on Transforming Policy into Action: Advancing Gender Justice and Reparations for Africans with Regional Economic Communities, with a focus on the role of the African Commission.
D. Women in Leadership in Law
12. From 14 to 16 July 2025, at the invitation of FEMNET, I attended the Women in Leadership in Law Conference in Nairobi, convened on the theme of “Women Leading in Shaping Justice Across Continents.” I delivered a statement on Advancing Women’s Intergenerational Leadership within the AU Human Rights System, and took the opportunity to raise awareness on the African Commission and the in particular, the mechanism of the SRRWA, and its role in advancing women’s intergenerational leadership.
13. On the margins of the meeting in Nairobi, I took the opportunity to engage with CSOs that work on women’s rights, and also paid a Courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender and the Honourable Minister of Gender. During these interactions, I took the opportunity to raise awareness on the urgent need for the ratification of the AUCVAWG
E. Activities under the EDVAW Platform
24th Meeting of the EDVAW Platform
14. On 13 June 2025, I participated in and chaired the 24th Meeting of the EDVAW Platform. Members of the Platform extensively discussed past activities, agreed on the draft calendar, and addressed outstanding issues to ensure effective coordination.
EDVAW Meeting with Non-Independent Human Rights Mechanisms
15. On 1 July 2025, I took part in a meeting organized by the EDVAW Platform to consult with non-independent human rights mechanisms (ASEAN, League of Arab States, OIC, OSCE, GCC, CIS, Commonwealth). The discussions focused on strengthening collaboration to advance the rights of women globally, resulting in commitments to greater cooperation.
EDVAW Meeting on Women, Peace and Security
16. On 3 July 2025, I participated in an EDVAW Platform meeting on Women, Peace and Security, which created a space for NGOs and other stakeholders to share perspectives on global and regional challenges related to women, peace, and security.
F. African Treaties Ratification Workshop
17. On 23 July 2025, I delivered a virtual lecture on the Maputo Protocol during the African Treaties Ratification Workshop organized by the African Institute of International Law. My lecture covered the historical background of the Protocol, its progressive provisions, monitoring mechanisms, and associated soft laws.
G. Validation Meeting on the Status of Women Human Rights Defenders
18. On 24 July 2025, I attended and delivered opening remarks at the Validation Meeting of the Updated Report on the Status of Women Human Rights Defenders, organized by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) in Banjul, The Gambia.
H. Training on Participating and Engaging with the African Commission
19. On 29 July 2025, I was represented at a training on Participating and Engaging with the African Commission, organized by the ACDHRS in Banjul, The Gambia, where opening remarks on behalf of the SRRWA were delivered.
I. Fifth Ordinary Session of the Sixth Legislature of the Pan-African Parliament
20. On 1 August 2025, I participated in the Fifth Ordinary Session of the Sixth Legislature of the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, Republic of South Africa, where I delivered a presentation on the AUCVAWG.
J. Regional Reproductive Justice Litigation Baraza
21. From 5 to 8 August 2025, I participated in the Regional Reproductive Justice Litigation Baraza, convened by Afya Na Haki in Uganda, on the theme of incarceration and SRHR in Africa. I delivered an opening statement highlighting the criminalization of bodily autonomy, existing normative frameworks, and the role of strategic litigation in resisting such practices. I also participated in a panel discussion on Resisting Normative Regression through Legal Tools, where I shared relevant normative frameworks and discussed how the African Commission’s mechanisms can be leveraged to resist regressive norms.
22. On the margins of Litigation Justice Baraza, I took the opportunity to pay courtesy visits to the Ministers of Gender and Justice of Uganda. During these interactions, I also took the opportunity to raise awareness on the urgent need for the ratification of the AUCVAWG.
K. Courtesy Visit to the Minister of Gender of The Gambia.
17. On 1 August 2025, I paid a courtesy visit to Honourable Fatou Kinteh, Minister of Gender of The Gambia, to thank the Government of The Gambia, through her, for The Gambia’s historic achievement of being the second country to sign the AUCVAWG. I also took the opportunity to advocate for the ratification of the Convention, and got a very firm commitment and undertaking from her ministry to prioritise accelerated ratification by The Gambia.
L. Post-Adoption Meeting for the AUCEVAWG
18. On 28 August 2025, in collaboration with the African Union Commission’s Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate and the Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, I convened the Post-Adoption Meeting of the AUCEVAWG. The meeting brought together experts in the field and the drafters of the Convention to contribute to the development of the Post-Adoption Roadmap, which is currently under preparation.
M. Validation Workshop for the Joint Study on Challenges of Litigating Women’s and Girls’ Rights before African Union Human Rights Organs.
19. From 23 to 24 September 2025, in partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the GIZ–African Union AWARE Project and Ipas Africa Alliance, we convened a closed two-day Validation Workshop in Accra, Ghana, for the Joint Study on the Challenges of Litigating Women’s and Girls’ Rights before AU Human Rights Organs. The Workshop brought together representatives of AU Human Rights Organs, namely the ACHPR, AfCHPR, and ACERWC, along with members of the study’s Technical Reference Group and representatives of selected partners and key stakeholders.
N. Continental Workshop to Promote the Socio-economic Rights of Women, Including in the Context of Extractive Industries
20. From 25 to 26 September 2025, in partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the GIZ–African Union AWARE Project and Ipas Africa Alliance, we convened a two-day Continental Workshop in Accra, Ghana, to promote the socio-economic rights of women, including in the context of extractive industries. The workshop aimed to raise awareness on the socio-economic rights of women, including those of women in the extractive industries, women with disabilities, elderly women, and young women, while addressing systemic and structural issues that perpetuate violations of these rights, with particular focus on education, health, and social protection.
O. Advocacy for the Universal/Continental Ratification of the Protocols under the ACHPR Monitoring
21. From 27 to 28 September 2025, I attended the above-mentioned flagship activity of the Commission, held in Accra, Ghana. The meeting aimed to promote the universal ratification of key human rights instruments, raise awareness of their importance for protecting rights across the continent, identify challenges in national ratification processes, and develop practical strategies to accelerate progress.
P. Inception Meeting on the Development of Guidelines on the Elimination of Obstetric Violence and Promotion of Maternal Healthcare in Africa
22. On 5 October 2025, I attended an inception meeting on the development of Guidelines on the Elimination of Obstetric Violence and Promotion of Maternal Healthcare in Africa held in Cape Town, South Africa. The Inception meeting was convened by the Center for Reproductive Justice, the partner supporting the SRRWA and the ACHPR’s Working Group on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Africa, in the development of these guidelines.
Q. Consultative Meeting Between the ACHPR and the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)
23. On 7 October 2025, I attended the above-mentioned consultative meeting, which was convened by the Center for Reproductive Rights and the International Childbirth Initiative in Cape Town, South Africa. The meeting provided a platform to share the experiences and systemic challenges faced by obstetricians and gynaecologists, and midwives in the provision and promotion of respectful maternal healthcare, across the globe, and to gather recommendations for the promotion of quality and respectful maternal healthcare.
PART FOUR: BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN AFRICA
A. Developments
24. During the intersession period, I noted the following developments and concerns on the situation of women on the continent:
25th Anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325
25. The 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) represents a critical opportunity to reflect on progress made and challenges that persist in promoting the rights, participation, and protection of African women in conflict-affected and fragile settings. Over the past two and a half decades, Africa has taken important steps to advance this agenda at both regional and national levels. Many African countries have demonstrated commitment to the resolution by developing and implementing National Action Plans (NAPs) to localize the WPS agenda. Nations such as Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others, have adopted NAPs, integrating gender perspectives into peacebuilding, defense, and security strategies.
26. I however, note that despite these achievements, the full promise of UNSCR 1325 remains far from realized for millions of African women and girls. Women remain underrepresented in formal peace processes and high-level decision-making roles in security institutions. In many cases, women’s contributions to peacebuilding are informal and under-recognized, often lacking the political visibility and financial support needed to sustain their work. The continued prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in conflict zones—including mass rape, forced marriage, trafficking, and exploitation—remains a major crisis for women and girls in conflict zones. In regions such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, women and girls are often deliberately targeted as a tactic of war, while survivors of such violence face stigma, inadequate support systems, and weak justice mechanisms.
27. Additionally, I note that implementation of WPS frameworks continues to be hindered by several systemic challenges. These include insufficient funding for NAPs, limited coordination among government agencies, weak monitoring and accountability mechanisms, and the persistence of patriarchal norms that view security as a male-dominated domain. Insecurity and militarized responses to conflict often close civic spaces, endanger women human rights defenders, and restrict the participation of grassroots women in peacebuilding.
Global backlash on women’s rights and impacts on African Women
28. The global backlash against women’s rights is inflicting a severe and disproportionate impact on hard-won gains in Africa, manifesting as a complex threat that is actively reversing progress on women’s empowerment. The most immediate and damaging effect is a drastic reduction in international funding for women’s organizations and essential services, stemming from massive cuts in foreign aid and development assistance by major donor countries, including the United States of America and European nations. This financial constraint is a severe crisis for civil society, with UN Women reporting that nearly half of women-led and women’s rights organizations in humanitarian zones—prevalent in African contexts—could be forced to shut down if current funding cuts persist.
29. Beyond the financial dimension, the global backlash is fueled by an interconnected network promoting anti-feminist and anti-gender agendas, often operating with more substantial funding than the feminist movements they seek to undermine. This rhetorical war aims to delegitimize the work of civil society organizations by framing progress—such as women’s education or economic independence—as a threat to traditional norms, as seen in the DRC, where women’s empowerment is often linked to negative stereotypes. Ultimately, the global backlash is not just an ideological challenge but a financial and political crisis that is actively dismantling the institutional capacity of African women’s organizations and eroding the protective services, including health, GBV support, and economic empowerment, which are essential for sustaining the human rights of women and girls in Africa.
Food Insecurity Crisis
30. I note with concern that the 2025 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World paints a troubling picture, especially for Africa. While global hunger trends show cautious improvement, many countries across the African continent—particularly in Southern Africa—are experiencing a stark reversal. Climate shocks, economic instability, and conflict continue to fuel this crisis, with devastating gendered consequences. In countries like Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where prolonged droughts and erratic rainfall destroyed crops and disrupted food systems, women and girls are bearing the brunt.
Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)
31. Across Africa, access to SRHR remains a major challenge, particularly for women in rural areas and those displaced by conflict or climate disasters. In conflict-prone and fragile contexts, access to information and quality SRH services is often an extra challenge, while needs are higher as women and girls are more frequently confronted with SGBV. A major and recurring concern about access to SRHR is the severe underfunding of humanitarian and women's rights organizations. Many of these groups, which are on the front lines of providing essential SRHR services, are at risk of shutting down due to funding cuts. This threatens to reverse hard-won progress, especially in a context where global humanitarian needs are at an all-time high.
B. Positive developments
Signing of the AUCEVAWG by Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Liberia, and The Gambia
32. I extend my sincere congratulations to Angola, Burundi, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia, and The Gambia for signing the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU Convention). By signing the AU-CEVAWG, these six Member States demonstrate a powerful commitment to strengthening their national legal and institutional frameworks. May this commendable step by these countries inspire other Member States to follow suit, accelerating the widespread adoption of this crucial convention and fostering a safer Africa for women and girls.
CAR
33. I would like to congratulate the CAR on its ratification of the Maputo Protocol. By formally depositing the instruments of ratification on 29 July 2025, the Government of CAR has taken a powerful and long-awaited step toward eliminating legal and structural discrimination against women and girls.
Noted challenges
The Gambia
34. I was deeply saddened and gravely concerned by the tragic death of a one-month-old baby girl in the Republic of The Gambia, following complications arising from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This devastating incident underscores the continued danger posed by this harmful practice, particularly to the youngest and most vulnerable. This is a stark and painful reminder of the urgent need to uphold and enforce national laws prohibiting FGM, and to accelerate efforts to eliminate the practice in all its forms.
South Sudan
35. Reports of escalating violence and abuse against girls in South Sudan are gravely concerning. According to reports, on June 25, armed men in Pochalla North, Jonglei State, reportedly abducted four female students as they travelled to sit for their secondary school exams. Despite community-led search efforts, the girls remain missing—highlighting the persistent risks girls face simply for seeking an education. Reports also reveal that in the same month, police in Juba arrested seven suspects in connection with the brutal gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl, an attack that was reportedly filmed and circulated online. In a similarly alarming incident, in May 2025, armed youth surrounded a girls’ boarding school in Marial Lou, Warrap State, trapping over 100 students inside. The siege only ended after intervention and negotiations led by the United Nations peacekeeping mission. These are not isolated events. They form part of a broader, deeply entrenched pattern in South Sudan where a girl’s body, education, and future are consistently under threat—from conflict, harmful social norms, and a climate of pervasive impunity.
Malawi
36. I was profoundly disheartened by reports of the brutal murder of Rosina Hara, a 27-year-old woman from Malawi. According to reports, Rosina’s body was found mutilated, bearing deep injuries to her face and private parts in an act of extreme gender-based violence that was both targeted and dehumanising. Rosina’s case is sadly not an isolated one. It is part of a much broader national failure to protect women from sexual exploitation and violence. The disconnect between the law and its implementation exposes vulnerable women and girls to continued harm and prevents them from getting the justice and support they deserve. Without meaningful enforcement and survivor-centred justice, Malawi’s legal system is failing to serve those most at risk.
South Africa
37. Reports of the murder of Olorato Mongale, a 30-year-old postgraduate student in Johannesburg, South Africa, disheartened me. Her tragic death was both devastating and a painful reflection of the systemic and pervasive threat of gender-based violence (GBV) that continues to plague South African society. Reports indicate that Olorato, a vibrant and ambitious young woman pursuing her master’s degree at the University of the Witwatersrand, was found murdered shortly after going on a date—a routine activity that ended in unimaginable violence. Her death once again laid bare the harsh reality that, for many women in South Africa, even everyday acts such as socializing can become fatal.
Sudan
38. I am deeply concerned by persistent and credible reports of widespread conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan. Women and girls are bearing the brunt of these atrocities, suffering severe physical and mental trauma, as well as social stigma, as documented by the UN and organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
39. The violations are systematic and pervasive. Girls as young as 13 and women as old as 60 have been subjected to rape, gang rape, and sexual slavery by parties to the conflict, including the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Perpetrators target victims in their homes—often in front of family members—and in public spaces.
40. Furthermore, sexual slavery is prevalent. As reported by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, women and girls are abducted from multiple regions, held captive for days or months, and subjected to repeated sexual violence and forced labour, often only released upon becoming pregnant. These egregious acts constitute grave violations of international human rights law, including the Maputo Protocol and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and have been condemned in the ACHPR Resolution 492(LXIX) of 2021 on Violence against Women in Armed Conflicts in Africa.
PART FIVE: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
On the 25th Anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325
41. I urge Member States to renew their political will and commitment to the full and accelerated implementation of UNSCR 1325. Member States should ensure the meaningful participation of women at all levels of peace and security processes, including conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping, and post-conflict reconstruction. I further urge Member States to allocate sustainable and dedicated funding for the development and implementation of NAPs on WPS, and to strengthen institutional coordination and accountability mechanisms to monitor progress effectively.
42. I call on Member States to enhance the protection of women and girls in conflict and fragile settings by strengthening laws and support systems that address sexual and gender-based violence, and by ensuring access to justice, healthcare, and psychosocial support for survivors.
Global backlash on women’s rights and impacts on African Women
43. I urge Member States and international donors to take urgent and decisive action to establish sustainable, direct, and flexible core funding for women-led and women’s rights organizations across Africa, particularly those operating in humanitarian and conflict settings. In addressing the devastating suspension or reduction of life-saving programs, particularly GBV and health services, I urge Member States and humanitarian agencies to classify and guarantee GBV services (shelters, legal aid, psychosocial support) and comprehensive Sexual SRHR as non-negotiable, core components of all emergency and development budgets. I also call on Member States to significantly increase Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) across all sectors, thereby enhancing domestic resource mobilization for women's rights and reducing reliance on external aid. In addressing the war waged by anti-gender networks.
44. I urge Member States, the AU, and civil society partners to invest substantially in proactive, evidence-based counter-narrative campaigns that challenge the framing of women's rights as a threat to traditional norms. Finally, I call on Member States to reject and repeal all legislation and policies that restrict women's rights or impede the operational capacity of civil society organizations under the guise of 'protecting culture' or 'family values.'
On the Food Insecurity Crisis
45. I urge Member States to prioritize gender-responsive strategies in addressing the food insecurity crisis by ensuring that national and regional food security interventions explicitly consider the disproportionate impact on women and girls. I further call on Member States to invest in climate-resilient agriculture, particularly by supporting women smallholder farmers with access to land, credit, inputs, and markets. Additionally, I urge governments to expand social protection systems—including school feeding programs, cash transfers, and food aid—with a specific focus on reaching women-headed households and vulnerable rural communities.
On Access to SRHR
46. In addressing challenges to access to SRHR, I urge Member States to take urgent action to ensure universal access to comprehensive, quality, and rights-based sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for women and girls in rural, conflict-affected, and humanitarian settings. I further call on governments to prioritize the integration of SRHR services into national health systems and emergency response plans, with a specific focus on displaced populations, survivors of gender-based violence, and adolescents. Special attention must be paid to strengthening rural health infrastructure, improving the availability of skilled healthcare workers, and ensuring a consistent supply of essential medicines and equipment.
To the Government of the Republic of The Gambia
47. I call on the Government of The Gambia to ensure that all those responsible for the tragic death of the one-month-old baby girl following complications from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are held fully accountable under the law. Furthermore, I urge the government to scale up nationwide public awareness campaigns, strengthen community-based prevention efforts, and provide comprehensive support services to survivors.
To the Government of the Republic of South Sudan
48. I urgently call on the Government of South Sudan to investigate all reported cases of abduction, sexual violence, and intimidation against girls, ensuring that perpetrators—including those with command responsibility—are brought to justice without delay. I further urge the government to strengthen security measures around schools, particularly girls’ boarding facilities and examination centers, to guarantee safe access to education. I also strongly urge the government to provide psychosocial, medical, and legal support to survivors and their families, and to scale up prevention efforts through community engagement and education.
To the Government of the Republic of Malawi
49. I recommend that the Government of Malawi ensure that all those responsible for the brutal murder of Rosina Hara are held fully accountable under the law. I further urge the government to take concrete steps to close the gap between legal protections and their enforcement, ensuring that all forms of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation are met with zero tolerance.
To the Government of the Republic of South Africa
50. I call upon the Government of South Africa to hold the perpetrator of the murder of Olorato Mongale fully accountable under the law. I further urge the government to reaffirm and strengthen its national commitment to ending gender-based violence (GBV) by addressing the systemic failures that allow such violence to persist.
To the Government of the Republic of the Sudan
51. In addressing the systematic and widespread nature of conflict-related sexual violence, I urge the Government of the Sudan to launch prompt, thorough, impartial, and independent investigations into all credible allegations of sexual violence committed by all parties to the conflict, including the SAF and RSF, ensuring zero tolerance for impunity. I further call for the prosecution of all alleged perpetrators, including those occupying high-ranking military and political positions, utilizing both civilian and reformed military justice systems to prosecute these crimes as violations of international humanitarian law.
CONCLUSION
52. In concluding this report, I commend the Member States that are actively implementing measures to advance gender equality and uphold the rights of women and girls across all sectors. I particularly applaud those taking swift and decisive action to address violations of women’s rights. Such proactive leadership is crucial to fulfilling our collective obligations and ensuring the safety, dignity, and well-being of women and girls across Africa.
53. I extend my sincere gratitude to all stakeholders and partners who tirelessly support the work of the SRRWA mechanism. Our continued collaboration is vital not only for empowering individual women and girls but also for driving the transformative change needed to build more inclusive societies. Societies where women and girls can fully exercise their rights, realize their potential, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s development. I urge all partners to sustain and deepen their commitment to this critical mandate as we work together to forge an Africa where gender equality is not merely aspirational but a lived reality for every woman and girl.
