Gambia Becomes First African Nation to Ratify AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

By CTV Africa

The Gambia has become the first African country to ratify the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls following the unanimous approval of the treaty by the National Assembly on Thursday.

The landmark ratification came after the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Hon. Fatou Kinteh, presented a motion before lawmakers seeking parliamentary approval of the convention, which aims to strengthen protections for women and girls against all forms of violence, abuse, and discrimination.

Addressing legislators, Hon. Kinteh described the ratification as a historic achievement for The Gambia and a significant step forward in advancing the rights and protection of women and girls across the country.

“This marks a historic milestone, as The Gambia is the first African country to ratify the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls,” she said.

The minister noted that the ratification transforms The Gambia’s earlier signing of the convention into binding legal obligations, requiring the country to align its laws, policies, and institutional frameworks with the provisions of the continental instrument.

“The Gambia has ratified the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, cementing its commitment to protect women and girls from abuse and discrimination across all spheres of life,” Hon. Kinteh stated. “This ratification transforms last year’s signing into binding legal obligations, aligning national laws with Africa’s first continent-wide framework.”

The convention is the African Union’s first dedicated legal framework aimed at preventing and responding to violence against women and girls. It seeks to promote stronger legal protections, accountability mechanisms, survivor support services, and preventive measures across member states.

With the ratification, The Gambia has positioned itself at the forefront of efforts to eliminate gender-based violence on the continent and has set a precedent for other African countries to follow.

Hon. Kinteh expressed gratitude to members of the National Assembly for their unanimous support of the convention, describing the decision as a demonstration of the country’s collective commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of women and girls.

She emphasized that the ratification reinforces The Gambia’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality, protect vulnerable populations, and uphold international and regional human rights standards.

The unanimous approval by lawmakers was welcomed as a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of a society free from violence and discrimination against women and girls.

As the first nation to ratify the convention, The Gambia now takes on a pioneering role in advancing the implementation of the African Union’s vision for a continent where women and girls can live free from violence, fear, and inequality.