Protocol on the Rights of Women (Maputo)

The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right on the Rights of Women in Africa also known as the Maputo Protocol is an International human rights document for the protection of women and girls in Africa.

It is a comprehensive legal framework that not only holds African government to account in event of violation of women’s right, but also gives women the right to take part in political processes, social and political equality with men, improved autonomy in their reproductive health decisions, and an end to female genital mutilation (African Union, 2003).

 It was adopted by the African Union in Maputo, Mozambique in 2003 in the form of a protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (adopted in 1981, but only enacted in 1986).

The protocol has as its provisions, right to participation in political and decision-making process, protection of women in armed conflicts, protection of women living with disability, widow’s right, elimination of harmful practices among other contents of the 25 articles making up the legal instrument.

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