AKINA MAMA wa AFRIKA REGIONAL CONSULTATION

COMMUNIQUÉ

A Regional Consultative Meeting convened by Akina Mama wa Afrika was held at Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, in Kampala, Uganda on 28th 29th April 2009 on the theme “The Power Of Women’s Leadership And Movement Building: Gender Based Violence And Sexual And Reproductive Rights In Conflict And Post Conflict Africa’ . The consultation drew together a cross section of actors in the area of conflict and post conflict in Africa. The consultative meeting reflected on national, regional and continentals strategies, challenges, lessons learnt, emerging trends and experiences.

Recognising that the promotion of women’s human rights has gained an unprecedented momentum over the last decade, in Africa and worldwide. In 2000 and 2008, the UN Security Council passed Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 which specifically assert women’s rights to peace and security focusing on their participation in peacebuilding and recognising rape as a war crime and a security issue. On the continent, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa has set precedents on women’s rights in relation to armed conflict and sexual and reproductive health rights. At a sub-regional level, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Protocol on the Prevention and Suppression of Sexual Violation Against Women and Children is in force at the Great Lakes Sub-Regional level.

Appreciating the various intrevetions in the area of women in conflict and post conflict, in 2008, the 52nd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) drew attention to the urgent need by governments and development partners to adequately finance women’s rights work if gender equality and empowerment of women is to be realised. This would among others, ensure that; government policies, programs and budgets protect women’s rights, particularly in the context of peace and security as stipulated in national, regional and international human rights standards and frameworks such as: UN Resolution 1325; UN Resolution 1820; the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights; the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa; The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platforms for Action and the Millennium Development Goals.

However, despite important milestones in recognizing women’s human rights, African women are still subject to marked discriminations and violations that manifest themselves both in private and public spheres.

We are thus cognizant of the fact that African women’s subjugation is as a result of interconnected sites of oppression that require multi-sectoral approaches, engagement by and with progressive movements and partnership with stakeholders at all levels to contribute to radically transforming the situation of African women. Such an approach contributes to creating greater synergies, impact and avoids duplication.

We distinguish the agency of African women and the importance of strengthening our own movements to appreciate and address the complexities of Sexual and Gender Based Violence and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in conflict and post conflict settings.

The power of movements lies in their ability to create sustainable engagement mechanisms and a proactive citizenry that actively engages in demanding accountable action. Movements make it possible to harness the collective energies of African women that are grounded on a common ideology, goals, agenda and collective organizing.

We identify African feminist theory, practice and organizing as central to strengthening the women’s movement, re-politicizing the struggle and shaping the discourse on peace and security in Africa in a way that makes it possible to tackle contentious issues.

We foreground the leadership and stewardship of women in conflict resolution, transformation and peace building as we believe that this can contribute to changing the face of conflict.

As representatives of intergovernmental agencies, civil society organizations, media and government in partnership with AMwA, we commit to concentrate our efforts on the following issues meriting redress:

Legislative Frameworks:

* Advocating for the harmonization of legislative frameworks that address SGBV & SRHR concerns.
* Aligning national legislative frameworks with regional and international standards, norms, protocols and instruments
* Advocating for constitutional and institutional reforms that address the diversity and complexities of SGBV & SRHR in conflict zones.

Communication and Coordination:

* We commit to redefining our approaches towards communicating about survivors of SGBV through developing effective communication mechanisms that ensure broad coverage of the issues (filter across the board)
* To create ‘Survivor Centered’ media reporting that ensures that African women own their stories.
* To create a database of women experts and women leaders at different levels (in country) and across the continent who can contribute to ensuring the inclusion and articulation of SGBV & SRHR concerns during peace negotiation processes.

Research and Documentation:

* We commit to the development of harmonized data collection tools on SGBV & SRHR that enhance linkages between survivors and key stakeholders.
* Demonstrating accountability to women and survivors of SGBV within the contexts where our interventions are conducted.
* Creation of decentralized documentation centers at all levels to enhance advocacy and resource allocation.

Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA)

Kampala, Uganda

29th April, 2009