The second Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has said violence against women continues to undermine Africa’s aspirations for peace and security, sustainable development, democracy and inclusive prosperity.
She said women’s rights were fundamental human rights; however, in many countries on the continent, tradition, culture and politics infringed upon women’s rights.
Dr Agyeman-Rawlings was delivering the keynote address at a dialogue on the Ratification, Domestication and Accountability of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Johannesburg last Saturday.
The Pan-African Parliament’s second Vice-President has, therefore, urged African Heads of State to be the advocates who will demonstrate political will and urgently push for their legislative arms of government to ratify and domesticate the convention ending violence against women and girls to ensure implementation and help support meaningful protection for every woman and girl across our continent.
She said the Convention must inspire governments, parliaments, communities and institutions across the continent to prevent violence before it occurs and to build societies where women and girls could live, lead and thrive safely as the continent also strives to achieve its 2063 aspirations.
“Africa cannot achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063 while more than half of its population continues to live under the threat of violence, exploitation and discrimination,” Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Klottey Korle Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, stressed.
Dialogue
The African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AUCEVAWG) is a comprehensive legal instrument for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls on the Continent. The Convention was adopted during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2025.
Organised by the Women’s Caucus of the Pan-African Parliament, the dialogue had participants drawn from across the continent, as well as representatives of the African Union Organs, representatives of the Regional Economic Communities, representatives of Civil Society and Development Partners.
Also in attendance were the Director, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, AUC, Prudence Ngwenya; the Commissioner, South African Human Rights and Advocate, Philile Ntuli, and the Chairperson of the Commission on Gender Equality, Nthabiseng Sepanya – Mogale.
The Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security, Liberata Mulamula; the Minister for Gender, Women and Children’s Welfare of
The Gambia, Fatou Kinteh; the President of the Women's Caucus of the Pan-African Parliament and Bureau of Women, Rahab Mukami Wachira, and the Deputy Regional Director, United Nations Population Fund, Young Hong, all participated in the event.
Contribution of women
The Vice-President of the Pan African Parliament said society must recognise the enormous contribution women make through unpaid care and domestic work, with millions of women across the continent sustaining households, raising children, caring for the elderly, thereby contributing immeasurably to their communities without remuneration or any formal appreciation or recognition.
“These are critical contributions, yet they are not measured as such. Perhaps it is time to redesign our household census instruments so that this invaluable contribution can finally be measured.
“Once quantified, it provides governments with a far more accurate understanding of women's contribution to national economies and allows for genuinely representative gender-responsive budgets,” Dr Agyeman-Rawlings recommended.
She gave an assurance that her institution was firmly committed to supporting the convention to end violence against women and girls. “As the Parliamentary voice of the African Union, we will continue to utilise parliamentary diplomacy, legislative engagement, policy dialogue, peer learning and strategic partnerships to encourage Member States to expedite the signature, ratification, domestication and implementation of this landmark convention,” she said.
AI, technology
While acknowledging the potential of technology and the emergence of artificial intelligence to be a force for development and inclusion, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings cautioned against its significant risks if unchecked.
“We must be vigilant to misogynistic algorithms embedded in AI systems, particularly those that amplify harmful stereotypes, promote misogynistic content or reinforce extremist narratives.
“Such technologies can shape the attitudes and behaviours of young people, especially young men, in ways that normalise discrimination, hatred and, ultimately, violence against women and girls.
“As we embrace technological innovation, we must also ensure that it is guided by ethical standards, accountability and a firm commitment to gender equality and human dignity, by instilling safeguards in the form of legal frameworks and oversight mechanisms,” the PAP Vice-President advised.
