Press release
Statement on the Election of Dr Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma as the AUC Chairperson
The 40 members of the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights Coalition, based in 22 African countries, commend the African Union (AU) Heads of States and Governments on the successful election of Dr Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma as its African Union Commission (AUC) first female Chairperson. The admirable way the elections were conducted exhibited the AU’s ability to apply its principles of promoting gender equality and respect for democratic principles, human rights, the rule of law and good governance as provided in the Constitutive Act of the AU. This is a strong message that should form the basis for similar renewed action
SOAWR Appeal on Rwanda Safe Abortion Law Reform
Download Appeal – English Download Appeal – French
SOAWR Petitions President Paul Kagame over Abortion
The Solidarity for African Women’s Rights Coalition (SOAWR), a pan African coalition of 40 organizations in 20 countries, has appealed to President Paul Kagame on safe abortion law reform in Rwanda. A letter, a copy of which The Sunday Times has seen and addressed to the president states that cases such as rape and incest are rarely reported due to societal stigma and therefore rarely reach the courts. “The condition of seeking safe abortion services through obtaining a court order followed by approval from two doctors will make it hard to obtain medical abortions,” the letter, dated May 10 reads
Cote D’Ivoire Ratifies the AU Protocol
SOAWR congratulates the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire on its ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. The instrument of ratification was deposited to the AU Commission on March 9th 2012. Download Statement