The
59th Ordinary Session of the African Commission and the 28th Ordinary Session
of the African Children’s Committee held under the theme: “Women’s Rights our
collective responsibility,” ended on Friday at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.
In
her closing statement, the Solicitor General of The Gambia, Saffie Sankareh,
said issues on women’s rights were discussed and deliberated on.
The
occasion was an opportunity for individual state parties to look into their own
records on the protection and promotion of women, with a critical eye and be
proud of their achievement.
They
also discussed various aspects on issues of women that need improvement, she
added.
The
number of state reports considered and
the ensuing constructive dialogue exemplifies, not only the important
role played by the Commission on issues affecting Africa’s development, but
they also reflected on the enthusiasm of all shareholders present in ensuring
that women’s rights are a reality enjoyed
by all African women.
Mrs
Sankareh further said that as the theme indicated, the protection and promotion
of women’s rights is a collective responsibility for all state and non-state
actors.
“It
is my hope that collectively the issues discussed and recommendations made
during this session will be disseminated and made available to all, especially
to women and girls, both in the urban and rural areas, to ensure effective and
proper implementation as part of our duties to fulfill our obligations in the
promotion and protection of the rights of all women, including our beloved
Africa.”
In
her closing remarks, the chairperson of the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), Hon. Pansy Tlakula, said in addition to the
unprecedented simultaneous holding of the sessions of the two organs, the 59th
ordinary session was a programme like any other in the Commission’s long
history, where it brought together survivors of human rights violations and
giving voices to the hopeless and voiceless.
Hon.
Pansy stated that during the session, the Commission convened a human rights
dialogue to consider how best to strengthen AU institutions and their
collaborating state and non-state actors, in order to improve the rate of
compliance of states.
“The
Commission also organised interactive sessions to discuss human rights
situations of women in Africa.”
The
Commission presented the youths with opportunities to voice their views, and
the first-ever youth panel held at this Commission session where the youths
brought forward their various comments and made recommendations to address
their concerns.
The
AU had rightfully adopted the theme on the democratic dividend of investing in
the youths for the year 2017.
She
added that the 59th ordinary session, allowed all stakeholders to take stock of
the progress made in the promotion and protection of human rights and the
challenges.
They
also considered the opportunities to be in force, and the coordination among
various bodies to ensure promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights
on the continent.
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