It is 30 years since the inception of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Informal stories emerging from around the world indicate that CEDAW has been making a difference, thanks particularly to the work of women and gender equality-focused CSOs. Read more

On 6 June, 2009, the association “Femmes Togolaises pour la Promotion de la Science et de la Technologie” (Togolese Women’s Association for the Promotion of Science and Technology) (FTPST), association comprising women lecturers at schools of science at the Université de Lomé held a scholarship giving ceremony for girl students in scientific fields who attended or are attending in regular and conscientious basis the practical works under its tutoring/mentoring programme.

The ceremony took place under the patronage of the Minister of Education and Research and the Vice-Chancellor of the Université de Lomé and in partnership with the French Embassy in Togo through its Department of Cooperation of Cultural Action, the National Commission for UNESCO, TOTAL Ltd. and the « Danish Association for International Cooperation». Read more

With the initiative of the French Government through its “Secrétariat d’Etat à la Solidarité”, a spot on domestic violence has been launched on 11 June 2009. The program entitled “La Voix” (the Voice) aims to combat domestic violence especially psychological violence against women. It is broadcasted on twenty French channels.

The new spot deals not only with physical violence but also with mental abuse, humiliation, harassment ... Read more

The 13th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union will be held at Sirte in Libya from 1st to 3rd July 2009 under the theme " Investing in agriculture for economic growth and food security " according to a press release published by the African institution.

The summit will be preceded by the meetings of experts and Ministers of Foreign Affairs from 24th to 30th June 2009. Read more

In the framework of its project “ Using law for rural women’s empowerment in 5 West-African countries ”, WiLDAF has begun through its national networks a series of paralegal training workshops intended for rural women, members of farmers’ organizations.

By late June, a total of 250 rural women will receive a 5 - day training on basic skills in human rights especially women’s human rights, economic rights, inheritance, land ownership, and violence against women . Read more

On 8th May, 2009, the WiLDAF Sub-regional Office signed a settlement agreement with the Togolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.

Our organization is delighted about this agreement which, following the Programme agreement signed on November 20, 2007 with the Ministry of Economy and Development is the result of a long process. This recognition granted to the WiLDAF West- Africa sub-regional office is an additional asset which will enable us to implement various programmes on women’s rights that will benefit women from different backgrounds, and for urban as well as rural populations in the 15 West African countries. Read more

The 45th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will be held from 13 to 27 May 2009 in Banjul, Gambia. Reports from Benin, Uganda, Ethiopia and Mauritius will be examined during the session.

For more information, please visit the website of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights at: http://www.achpr.org/english/_info/news_en.html

Since it entered into force in November 25, 2005, we can now count 27 ratifications and 45 signatures for the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.

Take a look at States Parties which have signed and/or ratified in each of region. Find out who has ratified

Consult the map of Africa which offers an illustration of the status of signatures and ratifications. Go to the map