AMwA calls for the rescue and immediate release of #chibokgirls

Today AMwA [Akina Mama wa Afrika] joins the world in sisterhood to commemorate the anniversary of the abduction of hundreds of Chibok girls and calls for the immediate release and rescue of the hundreds of female students kidnapped from the Government School in the Town of Chibok on the 14th of April 2014.

The promotion of women’s human rights has gained an unprecedented momentum over the last decade, in Africa and worldwide. The adoption in 1979 of the Convention on all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has been instrumental in bringing women’s human rights to the centre of development discourses and processes. The Beijing Platform for Action reaffirms CEDAW and the linkages between violation of women’s human rights.

At continental level, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the rights of women in Africa, the Constitutive Act of the African Union that has adopted gender equity in the Commission, the 2004 Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa have enshrined the commitment of African Heads of State and Government to tackle violation of women’s human rights and women’s marginalistaion in all areas of life.

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

As a feminist organization AMwA is deeply concerned about the rising levels of fundamentalisms that are continuing to oppress women and girls freedom and relegate the gains made in the women’s rights struggle. The kidnap of these girls reinforces the notion of using women’s bodies as a weapon of war. And even with very progressive laws and policies African women and girls continue to be subjected to various forms of human rights violations. We can not sit back and watch the lives of 219 future leaders get destroyed by selfish/ heartless individuals.

We therefore add our voice to the many other voices of #bringbackour­­­girls campaign and call for the following:

a) The immediate release and rescue of the remaining 219 girls that are still under captivity to be brought back to their families.

b) Provision of material and psycho-social support to all the 57 girls who managed to escape the kidnap and all the other girls upon their return.

c) The government of Nigeria and other world leaders are urged to demonstrate greater commitment and political will to the rescue and safe return of the 219 girls

d) African Union and African governments are called upon to commit to fight all forms of terrorism acts and protect the lives of the African peoples especially women and girls.

e) Governments, organizations, religious leaders and all other stakeholders are urged to take action against the increasing forms of fundamentalisms and oppressive systems of patriarchy that continue to perpetuate injustice in our society today.

We stand in solidarity with the 219 girls still in captivity and with all their families, relatives and friends as we mark one year anniversary since this horrific act happened. We also stand in solidarity with all people who have lost their loved ones through acts of terror most especially the recent Garissa victims in Kenya. We remain committed to advocating for a just and secure Africa; we trust that a day is coming when we shall certainly overcome and live in true peace and human freedom.

In Sisterhood
Akina Mama wa Afrika