Kenyan lawmakers have joined counterparts from across Africa in a renewed push to accelerate efforts to end gender-based violence, taking part in the Pan-African Parliament (PAP)-led High-Level Parliamentary and Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG) in Midrand, South Africa.
The dialogue on Saturday was opened by Rahab Mukami Wachira, Nyeri Woman Representative and President of the Pan-African Parliament Women's Caucus, who described the adoption of the AU-CEVAWG as a landmark step in protecting women and girls across the continent.
“The adoption of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls marked a historic milestone, the first comprehensive, legally binding instrument dedicated exclusively to preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in Africa,” Mukami said.
She noted that the accompanying Continental Roadmap provides a clear framework for countries to move from legal commitments to practical implementation.
“Equally important is the Continental Roadmap for the Signature, Ratification, Domestication and Implementation of the Convention, which charts a clear path from legal commitment to real change on the ground,” she added.
Mukami urged African parliaments to move quickly from adoption to ratification and implementation, saying legislators have a constitutional and moral duty to translate the Convention into national laws, budget allocations and oversight mechanisms.
“As parliamentarians, we hold a unique constitutional and moral responsibility. While governments negotiate and sign treaties, it is national parliaments that determine the speed of ratification, the quality of domestic legislation, the allocation of resources, and the accountability of governments to their commitments,” she said.
She emphasized that the Convention's success will be judged not by meetings held but by concrete action that improves the lives of women and girls.
The dialogue brought together representatives from the African Union Commission, UNFPA, UN Women, Regional Economic Communities, AUDA-NEPAD, national human rights institutions, civil society, academia, development partners and member states already advancing ratification.
Participants explored strategies to speed up ratification, strengthen legislative reforms and parliamentary oversight, mobilize women's caucuses and political leaders, and improve coordination and resource mobilization across Africa.
The meeting called on member states to fast-track the signing and ratification of the Convention, enact strong national laws criminalizing all forms of violence against women and girls, allocate adequate resources for prevention, protection, prosecution and survivor support, and strengthen parliamentary oversight to ensure governments fulfill their commitments.
Kenya's delegation also included Senator Margaret Kamar, who was recognized for her contribution to the 1995 Beijing Conference as an official Kenyan delegate and member of the national secretariat, alongside Senator Danson Mungatana and other members of Kenya's delegation to the Pan-African Parliament.