Preamble

We, African feminists, women, adolescents, and girls’ rights organisations, activists, scholars, legal practitioners, community and religious leaders, and allies, convened under the banner of Africa Disrupt CSW70, reaffirm that access to justice is a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for gender equality, peace, and sustainable development in Africa.

Grounded in Africa’s continental commitments including the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and global commitments under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) we affirm that access to justice goes beyond the existence of policies, laws and institutions. It requires systems that are gender-responsive, inclusive, accessible, and accountable to the lived realities of all women and girls. Without access to justice, women, adolescents, and girls are unable to claim their rights, challenge discriminatory laws, participate meaningfully in shaping the decisions that affect their lives, and create change in their communities.