Women Group Worried by Delay in Domesticating Maputo Protocol in Nigeria

A women led International Africa Non Governmental Human Right, Alliance for Africa, (AFA) has decried the delay by Nigeria Government to fully incorporate the Maputo Protocol progressive provisions into national law twenty years after it was adopted by the Country.

Maputo Protocol also known as the Protocol to the Africa Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa was adopted by 53 member countries of Africa Union on 11th July 2003 at the 2nd Session of the Assembly in Mozambique and ratified by the country on December 16, 2004 and articles of ratification were deposited on February 18, 2005 in line with its obligation as member of the African Union.

The Focal person of the non-governmental organization in South East, Obinwa Ifeoma made disclosure in her remarks when she led other members to an advocacy visit to the Abia State Council Chairman, of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Comrade Chidi Asonye, at the temporal secretariat in Umuahia.

She said the organization’s visit was part of the plans and programmes to enlighten critical stakeholders on the importance of domesticating the Maputo Protocol by the Federal and State governments.

According to her, AFA which is committed in the promotion of Human Rights Peace and Sustainable development is in collaboration with Equality Now to implement a Regional Project under the Solidarity for African Women ‘s Right (SOAWR) network aimed at the domestication of Moputo Protocol in Nigeria.

She maintained that under the collaboration which would seek to mobilize support, amplify women voices, and push for the full domestication of the Moputo Protocol to advance gender equality and the rights of women and girls in the country.

The South East focal person noted that as a result of the role of Journalists in shaping public opinion, creating awareness and driving societal change that the AFA sought for partnership, “It is pertinent that NUJ champions this Course.

“This engagement is expected to generate media support, build public awareness and foster collaboration towards domesticating the Maputo Protocol in Nigeria,” she noted.

Responding, the State NUJ Council Chairman, Comrade Chidi Asonye thanked the group for considering partnering with the council, a partnership which he believes would achieve the desired result especially as it concerns the right of women and girl child.

Comrade Asonye advised them to leverage the existing media space in the State to continue in the awareness and sensitization campaign as the State Council would through members assist in the advocacy.

“We will be partnering with you on creating awareness. If there is any thing or means you want us to partner, we will be willing as we have been assisting human right groups and other civil society groups,” Asonye assured.