The African Union’s recent endorsement of the African Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) has been met with widespread celebration across the continent, as rights groups hail the treaty as a significant breakthrough in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.

Adopted in February 2025, the legally binding treaty has been described by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as the outcome of years of persistent advocacy and engagement. One CSO statement called the move a "historic milestone," emphasizing the treaty’s potential to revitalize Africa’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of women and girls.

Speaking at a regional meeting on the convention held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Ms. Felister Mdemu, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships.

“This is a journey that requires joint effort. Governments cannot do it alone. We need collaboration with development partners and civil society to move this agenda forward,” she said.

FEMNET’s Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) lead, Maureen Anyango, said the convention represents a turning point shaped by years of feminist resistance and mobilization.

“It’s a significant win rooted in decades of feminist organizing across the continent. It builds on previous regional frameworks and responds to long-standing implementation gaps. This is our feminist blueprint to end violence in all its forms,” Anyango stated.

Meanwhile, Siaya County Assembly Member Bernard Adalla, representing North Ugenya, called on men to play a more active role in addressing violence against women, noting that silence and emotional repression often fuel destructive behavior.

“Men must step out of the shadows. Too often, we internalize our struggles and lash out, harming women who have no means to defend themselves. That has to change,” he said.

The EVAWG Convention is the first AU treaty dedicated solely to eradicating violence against women and girls. It establishes a continent-wide framework that emphasizes prevention, protection, accountability, and survivor support.

It also addresses emerging threats, including femicide, cyberviolence, and economic abuse framing gender-based violence as a systemic crisis demanding urgent regional action.

While Kenya has yet to sign the convention, the government has indicated its intention to do so. The treaty, which became open for signature and ratification in July 2025, has already been endorsed by several nations, including Angola, Burundi, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and The Gambia.

The Dar es Salaam forum jointly convened by FEMNET, UN Women, and other partners aims to equip grassroots women’s organizations with the tools to push for ratification, local implementation, and accountability within their countries. The convening emphasizes women-led strategies to ensure the treaty delivers real change on the ground.