Online Reporter
Sikhanyisiwe Ncube
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE has signed the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the protection of women and girls and eliminating gender-based violence.
Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Senator Monica Mutsvangwa signed the Convention yesterday at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, making Zimbabwe the 10th AU member State to sign the landmark instrument.
The signing ceremony was presided over by AU Commission legal counsel Professor Hajer Gueldich.
Zimbabwe joins Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gambia, Angola, Liberia, Burundi, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea and Rwanda, which had previously signed the Convention.
Also present at the ceremony were Ms Doreen Matemba, representing Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Ms Sophia Nyamudeza; legal advisor in the ministry, Ms Fungai Chiware, officials from the Zimbabwean Embassy, the AU Commission Director for Women, Gender and Youth, Ms Prudence Ngwenya and other AU officials.
In her remarks, Minister Mutsvangwa expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for approving Zimbabwe’s signing of the continental instrument.
“The African Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls represents a progressive move towards advancing the protection of human dignity, gender justice and human rights across our continent,” she said.
She explained that the Convention was consistent with the country’s National Gender Policy and laws aimed at eliminating gender inequalities.
“For generations, our societies have been held back by the shadow of gender-based violence. Today, we declare that a secure, equal and dignified reality for women and girls is a prerequisite for achieving the AU Agenda 2063,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa also commended Prof Gueldich and the Office of the Legal Counsel for facilitating the Convention, describing Zimbabwe’s signing as a historic milestone.
She further congratulated The Gambia and Ghana on ratifying the Convention, noting that 15 member States are required to deposit their instruments of ratification before it enters into force.
“As Zimbabwe, we are following suit, and we shall complete our legal processes to enable ratification of this important instrument,” she said.
The minister also acknowledged the support of Zimbabwe’s Permanent Mission in Addis Ababa for helping to align the country’s national priorities with continental initiatives.
She said Zimbabwe’s signature represented more than a formal commitment, describing it as a pledge to women and girls across the country and the continent.
The AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is a comprehensive, legally binding continental instrument designed to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
It was adopted during the 38th Ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2025.
The Convention seeks to establish a comprehensive framework for preventing, eliminating and effectively responding to violence against women and girls by addressing its root causes and drivers, strengthening legal and institutional mechanisms, and promoting human rights, gender equality and the dignity of women and girls.
It also seeks to promote a common approach among State parties towards eliminating violence against women and girls while encouraging greater public dialogue, advocacy and action on the issue.
