At the invitation of Lawyers Without Borders Canada and its partners—the African Union Commission, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the African Assembly for the Defense of Human Rights (RADDHO)—the West African Women Human Rights Defenders Movement (MFDDH AO) took part in a regional dissemination and advocacy workshop on the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls (AUCEVAWG).
Adopted in February 2025, this Convention represents a major step forward for the protection of women's and girls' rights on the continent. Only seven states have signed it to date, but for it to enter into force, at least fifteen ratifications are required. The workshop therefore aimed to strengthen civil society mobilization and encourage constructive dialogue with African Union member states in order to accelerate this process.
The central role of the MFDDH AO
The Coordinator of the Ivorian Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (CIDDH) and Director of MFDDH AO, Ms. COULIBALY Marthe, represented MFDDH AO through her key role in facilitating one of the working groups and moderated a strategic panel entitled: " Interactive dialogue on the pan-African perspectives of the Convention: strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to address them." Through her commitment, she helped structure the discussions and guide the advocacy actions needed to achieve the goal of ratification.
" The MFDDH AO, faithful to its mission of defending and promoting human rights, welcomes this initiative and intends to contribute to the awareness-raising and advocacy campaigns that will be carried out in the region," said Director COULIBALY Marthe during her speeches.
A high-level meeting
The workshop also benefited from the presence of prominent figures, such as the Honorable Commissioner Idrissa Sow, President of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the Honorable Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah Njie, Special Rapporteur on Women's Rights to the Commission. Their participation reinforced the legitimacy and impact of the discussions.
Solidarity and networking
Beyond institutional debates, this meeting provided an opportunity to forge links between women leaders across the continent. The Director of MFDDH AO had the opportunity to exchange views with committed figures such as Ms. Micheline Somda (Legal Advisor at Lawyers Without Borders Canada), Ms. Abibatou Samb (lawyer at the Paris Bar), and Ms. Mary Pais (Co-Director of WHRD Initiative and new President of the Southern Africa Defenders Network – Southern Defenders).
