Exploring Transformative Equality in African Human Rights Systems: Join Us at the RWI Regional Africa Academic Human Rights Conference
The RWI Nairobi Office is excited to inform you of the upcoming RWI Regional Africa Academic Human Rights Conference, organized by the RWI’s Regional Africa Programme (RAP) Academic Network. The Conference to be hosted by the Stellenbosch University, South Africa, on September 13-15, 2023, will bring together human rights researchers from the Continent and representatives of the Regional and Sub-Regional human rights bodies to explore and discuss “Women’s Rights, Gender Inequality and Intersectional Vulnerabilities: Exploring Substantive Transformative Equality in the African Regional and Sub-Regional Human Rights Systems 20 years after the adoption of the Maputo Protocol.”
Since its inception in 2017, the RWI Regional Africa Programme has been steadfastly committed to improving access to justice and implementation of human rights commitments across the African Continent. Through its Academic Network, the Programme generates research, builds capacity, and fosters vital inter-sectoral dialogues.
Central to this endeavor is the Annual Regional Human Rights Conference, which has become a platform for reflection, dialogue, and knowledge sharing among academia, civil society representatives, national human rights institutions, legal associations, regional human rights bodies, and international organizations. The Conference is a beacon for advancing human rights in Africa, bringing together researchers and stakeholders, including from Universities’ Law Faculties, Bar Associations, African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, East African Court of Justice, ECOWAS Court of Justice, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, African Union Commission, African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and more.
Conference Theme: Transformative Equality
The 2023 Conference focuses on ‘Women’s Rights, Gender Inequality and Intersectional Vulnerabilities: Exploring Substantive Transformative Equality in the African Regional and Sub-Regional Human Rights Systems 20 years after the adoption of the Maputo Protocol’. This theme aims to unravel the intricate web of women’s rights and gender disparities in the context of regional human rights systems. As we mark the two-decade milestone since the Maputo Protocol’s adoption, we will delve into the progress made, the challenges faced, and the way forward in achieving substantive equality.
Nurturing the Next Generation
Early career researchers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of human rights. That is why the Conference invests in their growth through this mentorship by senior researchers, including through the Research Methodology Workshop that precedes the Conference. Led by Academic Network members and seasoned human rights experts, the workshop equips researchers with essential skills in conducting literature reviews, understanding legal theories, and undertaking interdisciplinary human rights research. Constructive feedback and insights from regional actors further refine their work, preparing them to present at the conference.
Building Bridges for Equality
The Conference bridges academia, practitioners, and policymakers to drive real-world impact. Through rigorous reviews and discussions, it shapes the research landscape and creates a robust repository of knowledge. At its heart, the Conference aims to bolster human rights education, strengthen capacity, and influence positive change across diverse stakeholders.
Significance of the Conference to the 20th Anniversary Commemorations of the Maputo Protocol
The 2023 RWI Regional Africa Academic Human Rights Conference holds paramount significance in the context of commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol). As we pause to reflect on the journey traversed over the past two decades, the Conference provides a platform for assessing the impact and implications of this transformative treaty. Amidst celebrating achievements in advancing women’s human rights across Africa since the Protocol’s inception, the Conference also casts a probing gaze on persisting challenges and emerging concerns. By convening a gathering of diverse minds and experts, the Conference seeks to foster dialogue that yields impactful solutions and strategies, accelerating progress and promoting tangible outcomes for the African women’s human rights system.