Zanetor Demands Continental Action: ‘Africa Cannot Progress While Women Live in Fear’

The Second Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Dr. Zanetor Agyeman‑Rawlings, has issued a strong call for urgent, coordinated continental action to end violence against women and girls, warning that the crisis threatens Africa’s march toward peace, security and sustainable development.

She argued that Africa’s ambitions under Agenda 2063 will remain out of reach if millions of women and girls continue to face violence, exploitation and discrimination.

Dr. Agyeman‑Rawlings delivered the keynote address at a High-Level Dialogue on the Ratification, Domestication and Accountability of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, held in Johannesburg, South Africa. She urged governments, parliaments and institutions across the continent to treat the Convention as a catalyst for stronger prevention systems and safer environments where women and girls can live and lead without fear.

The Klottey Korle MP stressed that women’s rights are fundamental human rights, calling on African Heads of State to demonstrate political commitment by accelerating the ratification and domestication of the Convention to ensure its full implementation.

She proposed a review of household census tools to properly capture women’s unpaid labour, arguing that accurate data would help governments design more effective gender‑responsive budgets and policies.

“It requires us to invest deliberately in girls’ education, women’s health, economic empowerment, protection services for gender-based violence survivors, access to justice and programmes that strengthen women’s participation in peace building, governance and leadership,” she said.

While acknowledging technology’s potential to support development and inclusion, she cautioned that innovation must be guided by ethical standards, legal frameworks and strong oversight to ensure it promotes gender equality and human dignity.

Dr. Agyeman‑Rawlings assured that the Pan-African Parliament will continue to deploy parliamentary diplomacy, legislative engagement and policy dialogue to push AU member states to accelerate the signing, ratification, domestication and implementation of the Convention.

The dialogue, organised by the Women’s Caucus of the Pan-African Parliament, brought together legislators, AU representatives, regional bodies, civil society organisations and development partners to discuss strategies for ending violence against women and girls across the continent.

The African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AUCEVAWG) was adopted during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2025 and serves as the continental legal framework for preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.