Advocacy for ratification without reservation of the Maputo Protocol as an addition to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights

Republic of Niger

Amount: € 76,343.00

Overview

The SRMSR project, undertaken by DIMOL, an NGO based in Niger, concerned itself with the promotion of women’s rights in all fields of life. The government of Niger has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the Additional Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), but with reservations concerning certain religious and local customs. The project sought ratification of CEDAW without reservations by increasing awareness of women’s rights within communities. This was implemented nationally through collaboration with communities and coalitions of women leaders, including NGOs, associations, political parties and representatives of technical ministries. The project served to address the primary aspirations of the African Union's Agenda 2063, namely, of an Africa typified by good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law and to aid the development of an Africa with a strong cultural identity and common heritage.

Key results

• The SRMSR project reached 750,000 women, this was effected nationally through collaboration with communities and coalitions of women leaders from NGOs, associations, political parties and representatives of technical ministries.  
• The project disseminated information about the Protocol through local communities and national media, sought to raise awareness about it through publicity materials such as press releases, television programmes, “T” shirts, diaries and the work of the Mourna Drama Troupe.
• There were extensive capacity-building sessions to inform parliamentarians and other community leaders, together with consultation sessions, culminating in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the civil society organisations and religious leaders.
• Inculcation of information about the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Protocol was monitored through a series of field visits.