THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

For the past three decades there have been renewed calls from civil society activists and the international community to protect women and uphold their rights across the African continent in accordance with myriad international treaties, regional treaties and domestic legislation. It is worthy of note that a large number of African governments have ratified at least one of the international or regional conventions or protocols on women’s rights. The doctrinal research method was adopted and the data collected were both primary and secondary comprising of both hard copies and online source materials. This paper examined the mechanisms put in place to protect the rights of women in Africa and discovered that notwithstanding the measures, there exist huge challenges for women engaged in the defence of human rights on the continent as the lofty values enshrined in law are often times ignored in practice. It was recommended that the African Union and member states should ensure the ratification and implementation of the laws and practices that promote the rights of women without reservations and the civil society should introduce initiatives that would raise awareness about women rights.