The African human rights system: Challenges and potential in addressing violence against women in Africa

Abstract

Since the period of colonisation, the African continent has witnessed massive and widespread human rights violations, from massacres to genocides, political suppression to socio-economic neglect, from physical violence to structural violence. Women have been especially vulnerable to these massive and egregious human rights violations. This chapter aims to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the normative and institutional framework for the protection of women against violence. It analyses the work of the institutions created under the normative legal framework and delves into the practices and jurisprudence of these institutions on the protection of women from violence. Violence against women has been recognised globally as a violation of the fundamental rights of women and as an impediment to equality, sustainable development and peace. Women's sexuality and right to decide over their own bodies has been the most contested of all women's rights; subjected to control, by individual men, the family, society and the State.