The 6th National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) Forum, held on October 18th and 19th, 2023, in Arusha, Tanzania, was a significant platform organized by the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) in collaboration with the host NHRI being the Tanzania Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG).
The theme of the Sixth NHRIs Forum was “The 30th Anniversary of the Paris Principles & The 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol: Amplifying the Role of NHRIs in the Protection of the Rights of Women and other Vulnerable Groups in Africa.” This forum therefore focused on advancing the rights of women and other vulnerable groups in Africa, coinciding with the 30th Anniversary of the Paris Principles and the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol.
The forum commenced with insightful discussions in an opening session where distinguished figures, including Hon. Rtd. Judge Mathew P. M. Mwaimu, the Chairperson of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Governance, Tanzania, and Hon. Rémy Ngoy Lumbu, Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, emphasized the critical role of NHRIs in advocating for the ratification, domestication, and implementation of the Maputo Protocol. The discussions, anchored by experts like Dr. Japhet Biegon from Amnesty International, delved into the challenges and opportunities in realizing the rights enshrined in the Maputo Protocol, addressing issues like reproductive health, social protection, and various human rights obstacles faced by women and other vulnerable groups.
Experts and representatives from NHRIs, civil society organizations also delved into the multifaceted dimensions of advancing the rights of women and vulnerable groups in Africa. Subthemes on health and reproductive rights, along with social protection and social security rights, were central to the discussions. Dr. Bernard Mogesa from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), Ms. Assanata Soumahoro from the Conseil National des Droits de l’Homme in Côte d’Ivoire, and Ms. Wadah Saadia from the Conseil National des droits de l’homme, Morocco, provided invaluable insights into the successes and challenges within these critical areas. Discussions were enriched further by representatives from civil society organizations like the Center for Reproductive Rights. These sessions highlighted the urgent need for concerted efforts and strategic collaborations to overcome challenges related to access to healthcare, social security, and reproductive rights faced by women and other vulnerable groups across the African continent.
The forum culminated in an atmosphere of collaboration and commitment, fostering a keen understanding of the complex issues surrounding the realization of women’s rights and other vulnerable groups, intending to influence policy changes and social actions. The event, attended by representatives from various stakeholders, concluded with a resounding commitment to advance human rights, acknowledging the role of NHRIs in advocating for the ratification and implementation of the Maputo Protocol. Overall, the Sixth NHRIs Forum provided a platform for enhanced collaboration, renewed commitment to the Paris Principles, and the development of actionable strategies to promote human rights, especially those related to the rights of women and other vulnerable groups. It represented a crucial step towards advancing gender equality and the protection of human rights in Africa. The resolutions adopted at the forum, along with the launch of the NANHRI-DIHR Study, will undoubtedly contribute to meaningful progress in the realization of these objectives.