Africa: Reservations to the Maputo Protocol Undermine Women's Rights
Thursday, September 4, 2025 3:10 AM
On July 11, 2025, marking the 22nd anniversary of the Maputo Protocol’s adoption, Equality Now released a press statement observing that while the Protocol has been pivotal in advancing women's and girls' rights across Africa, its impact remains significantly curtailed. This is largely due to state reservations where countries selectively exempt themselves from certain treaty provisions on critical issues including access to safe abortion, protection against child marriage, fair treatment in divorce, and inheritance rights. These carve-outs, often justified on cultural or religious grounds, create serious consequences for survivors of gender-based violence and marginalized women and girls. Equality Now warns these reservations weaken legal protections and stifle the Protocol’s effectiveness in improving women’s lives.