• The Republic Botswana has acceded to an instrument of accession to Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. The President of the Republic of Botswana, His Excellency Dr. Mokweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi acceded to the Instrument of accession on the 13^th of October 2023. 
• The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa was adopted on the 11^th July 2003 in Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique. This is why the Protocol is often referred to as the Maputo Protocol.  Being one of the most progressive and comprehensive women’s rights instruments, the Maputo Protocol aims to protect, promote and affirm women’s human rights to exercise civil and political rights, socio-economic rights and cultural rights. It guarantees extensive rights to women and girls and includes progressive provisions on elimination of discrimination against women, protection from violence, harmful traditional practices, reproductive health and rights, roles in political processes as well as promotion of socio- economic rights.

• Earlier this year, #BONELA powered by #NAHPA conducted cross country stakeholder dialogues to raise public awareness on the importance of Botswana   signing and ratifying the Maputo Protocol. The Maputo Protocol has contributed in shifting the trajectory on the promotion and protection of women’s human rights in Africa. It challenges the old stereotypes about the role of women in society and places women as full, effective and equal partners with men in the development of their communities
•  BONELA welcomes the accession to the protocol as it will ensure the full integration of women’s human rights concerns in our domestic human rights framework. Upon ratification, Botswana ought to implement the Protocol by reviewing all national laws, policies, practices and procedures to ensure that it meets the obligations set out in the Protocol. Further, to incorporate the rights enshrined in the Protocol into our domestic legislation and take all other necessary measures to implement the instrument in good faith.
• BONELA further anticipates that the implementation of this instrument would translate into meaningful enjoyment of every right by women and girls in Botswana.

For more information, contact BONELA on:

Katlego Sechele at ksechele@bonela.org  or 72282025

Cindy Kelemi at cindyk@bonela.org  or 72385054