Relevant Literature on Human Rights in Africa

African Platform for Action adopted by the Fifth Regional Conference on Women

held at Dakar from 16 to 23 November 1994

I. STATEMENT OF MISSION

1. The African Platform for Action is a synthesis of regional perspectives and priorities and a framework for action for the formulation of policies and implementation of concrete and sustainable programmes for the advancement of women. It is developed in consonance with the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies, the Abuja Declaration and the Kampala Action Plan. The Platform for Action aims to accelerate the social, economic and political empowerment of all women at all levels and at all stages of their lives under the guidance of the following principles:

(a) The operating principle of the African Platform for Action is the integration of the gender perspective in all policies, plans and actions directed towards the achievement of equality, development and peace. The underlying assumption is that international instruments that have been developed for human rights should be applicable to all sectors of society.

To this end, this African Platform for Action aims to establish/strengthen sustainable mechanisms including information systems at all levels for the promotion of legal literacy and the advancement of women;

(b) Equal partnership between women and men is the ultimate goal of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies, the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and all other relevant regional and international policy instruments on human and women's rights;

(c) To this end, it is important to ensure a fuller and more active participation of women in policy formulation and decision-making processes of government;

(d) There is need to achieve/accelerate the economic, social and political empowerment of women at all levels, enabling them as citizens, on an equal footing with men, to participate at the level of decision-making, becoming active contributors to and beneficiaries of all aspects of national development;

(e) The imperative of a successful search for peace which is crucial for the African region cannot be overemphasized. Women and children are the major victims of ethnic and civil strife including religious extremism and in the ongoing process of conflict prevention, management and resolution, women should be closely and actively involved and consulted at the national, subregional and regional levels;

(f) Priority action should be taken for protecting the human rights of girls and ensuring that they get nurture, care, education and opportunities for achieving their full potentials equally with their brothers.