Uganda Baseline Survey on the African Women's Rights Protocol- The Maputo Protocol
Why the Maputo Protocol? A key question posed by many stakeholders is why the Maputo Protocol in light of existing laws and human rights instruments at the international, regional and national levels. The Maputo Protocol builds upon existing instruments especially CEDAW but more specifically addresses challenges that are predominant on the African Continent. The Maputo Protocol is key for changing negative power relations, gender inequality and dis-empowerment and impoverishment of women in Africa and guarantees comprehensive rights to women including economic and social welfare rights; the right to social and political equality with men; the right for women to take part in political and decision making processes and to control their sexual and reproductive health. The Protocol also addresses issues specific to the African Continent including the elimination of harmful traditional practices like female genital mutilation, early marriage, widow inheritance and property grabbing and looks at the specific rights
of women during marriage, separation and divorce; and during armed conflict. The Maputo Protocol also affirms the rights of vulnerable groups such as widows, the elderly and disabled and women in distress, which includes poor women, women from marginalized populations, and pregnant or nursing women in detention. The Maputo Protocol calls upon States to put in place critical measures and resources necessary to promote women's rights and also
sets forth a broad range of remedies where rights have been denied or violated. States are obliged to report every two years to the AU on progress made in promoting and attaining these rights.
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