Since its launch in 2005, African governments have failed to efficiently implement the critical foundation provided by the Maputo Protocol for identifying, preventing and addressing gender-based violence. Laws and policies adopted by countries have been overwhelmingly weak and ambiguous, whilst loopholes persist and many countries do not even have a legal definition of gender-based violence - making it impossible to criminalize behaviors, and identify and support victims. A minority of countries in Southern Africa have set the minimum age of marriage at 18, many governments have entered reservations to the protocol’s Article 6 - guaranteeing gender equality in marriage - and multiple countries have prohibited access to abortions, even in cases where the pregnancy is a result of sexual violence or endangers the health of the woman or endangers the life of the woman or fetus. As the African Union moves toward the adoption of a new convention, activists hope that commitments will be truthful, and that enforcement and implementation will be a priority.