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This article compares the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) model law on gender-based violence (GBV) and the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AUCEVAWG), specifically the definition of violence against women and girls in each instrument and the corresponding preventative measures. This article seeks to establish whether AUCEVAWG, when compared to regional instruments, provides additional human rights protections and/or clear pathways for responding to and preventing violence against women and girls, as experienced by them.

A month ago, on 25 July 2026, African feminists, women’s rights organisations, survivors, legal advocates, human rights defenders and civil society movements gathered outside the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa, to demand meaningful scrutiny of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, known as AU-CEVAWG.

The adoption of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG) reflects an important continental commitment. The urgency of ending violence against women and girls is not in dispute. The question is whether the Convention, in its present form, is legally capable of achieving that objective.

In February 2025, the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union adopted the Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG). The Convention grew out of a political initiative launched in 2020, formally mandated by the AU Assembly in February 2023 and accelerated following the Assembly’s February 2024 direction that negotiations be concluded in time for adoption the following year.

This guidance note is addressed to African Union member states that have signed the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG/the Convention) and are now considering ratification

We, the Pause for Purpose campaign, reaffirm our collective commitment to ending all forms of violence against women and girls across Africa. We welcome the African Union’s decision to adopt a continental Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. The objective is urgent and important; women and girls deserve stronger protection, states need stronger accountability, and survivors deserve justice.

A critical analysis of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, examining its claims, gaps, and implications for women’s rights across Africa.

The purpose of this Memorandum is to comply with the legal requirement that mandates the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services – State Department for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action to include the views of the public on the ratification of a treaty where the government intends to ratify a treaty. This requirement is in accordance with the provisions of Article 2(2) and 10(1) & (2) of the Constitution of Kenya as read with Section 7(m) of the Treaty-Making and Ratification Act Cap 4D Laws of Kenya.

Gender-based violence in the African Union (AU) is rooted in deep structural inequalities – patriarchy, economic insecurity, ethnic strife – and weak legal redressal systems. The AU Convention on Ending Violence against Women and Girls (CEVAWG, 2025) is the most recent legal framework adopted by the member countries to implement their commitment to preventing, addressing, and eliminating violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Africa.

Gender-based violence in the African Union (AU) is rooted in deep structural inequalities – patriarchy, economic insecurity, ethnic strife – and weak legal redressal systems. The AU Convention on Ending Violence against Women and Girls (CEVAWG, 2025) is the most recent legal framework adopted by the member countries to implement their commitment to preventing, addressing, and eliminating violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Africa.