Pan-African Conference in Addis Ababa

The purpose of the conference was to acknowledge the efforts, share the experiences gained, and celebrate the courage of those who have been inspirational in the process of eliminating harmful traditional practices (HTP) in Africa. Nelly Lukale, YWCA-Kenya Youth Coordinator; and Ms. Loe Rose Mbise and Ms. Saba Haile, General Secretaries of YWCA Tanzania and Ethiopia respectively, represented the YWCA at the conference.The legal and human rights of women and girls and the socio-cultural factors which give rise to harmful traditional practices and hinder the introduction of required change to these age-old traditions were examined. The conference served as a platform to acknowledge efforts made and develop a framework for action to contribute to the promotion and protection of the rights of women, girls and children in efforts to combat HTP.

H.E Adv. Bience Gawana, Commissioner for Social Affairs said that “Africa has embraced the African renaissance to reclaim, restore, rediscover and reconnect with our African identity and heritage. We should reflect on our values and beliefs held by members of a community which have passed on through generations. The positive values include respect for elders, caring for the vulnerable, sharing and solidarity, tolerance, dialogue, consultation and mediation. The conference would consider positive African traditional values with a view to maintain and promote them. However negative practices that discriminate and violate the human rights and dignity of women and girls which lead to physical and emotional harm should be discarded. These include Female Genital Mutilation, early marriages and practices, and taboos preventing women from controlling their fertility, wife inheritance and son preference.”

The conference ended with the following priorities for action in combating HTPs:

1.   HOLISTIC AND INTERGRATED STRATEGIES ON HTP

• A holistic approach combining modern and traditional approaches.
• Development in AU member States of an integrated health system incorporating universal access to sexual and reproductive health services.

2.   LEGAL AND POLICY ENVIRONMENT

• Governments to play important roles in addressing HTPs through ratification of legal instruments.
• Advocacy, education, medical assistance, sensitisation of youth and elders on existing norms and laws to accompany strategy to combat HTPs. Religious and traditional leaders could be leading change agents.

3.   WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

• Networks of women’s rights groups should be supported and empowered to address HTPs
• The work of female lawyers and activists to be applauded and female champions in communities identified to facilitate combating HTPs
• Women should inform themselves on laws which can lead to change
• Programmes should target economic activities to empower women.

4.   RESEARCH

• Baseline studies conducted to collect data on incidence and prevalence of HTPs in communities will be useful in the policy and law formulation process and advocacy

5.   ADVOCACY AND AWARENESS

• There is need to educate people, especially in rural areas, to create awareness on issues relating to HTPs. This can be done through schools, clinics, informal settings, and inter- generational and cross-generational dialogue. Informational, educational and communication materials to be developed for specific target groups.
• Mass media to be part of advocacy and awareness raising efforts.

6.   MONITORING  PROGRESS

• The AU should take leadership role and hold governments accountable for domestication of key legal documents ratified, with regard to combating HTP and promoting the human rights of women.
• Governments should ensure mechanisms are put in place at national level to monitor continued prevalence of HTPs and actions are taken to combat these.