WD2023: EVCI called for global efforts to promote and protect women and girls’ rights

By Elias Hakizimana.

Local organization ‘Every Voice Counts Initiative’ (EVCI) called global leaders and human rights activists to promote women and girls’ rights and ensure their access to sexual and reproductive health services.

The call was made by Farida UWAMWEZI, Program Manager of EVCI during Women Deliver 2023 Conference’s side event in Kigali, July 2023. Women Deliver purpose was to break barriers, address challenges, and identify opportunities to advance gender equality and improve the wellbeing of girls and women, in all their intersecting identities.

EVCI is a non-government organization educating individuals about their rights and empowering them especially women and girls to champion advocacy for the promotion and protection of their rights in the society. The organization is also committed to put its efforts in advocating for effective implementation of article 14 of the Maputo Protocol, about access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and Abortion services.

The Maputo Protocol was established following the realization that while numerous international, regional and sub-regional mechanisms exist to protect women’s human rights and advocate for gender equality, there were still gaps that were unique to African women and as a result, continued to further marginalize African women and girls. Additionally, the Maputo Protocol provides extensively for sexual and reproductive health and the rights of African women, addressing health needs of women within the member states. Rwandan Government signed on 19 December 2003 and ratified Maputo protocol by presidential order no. 11/01 of June 24, 2004 with reservation on article 14(2)(c).

KAKONGI Ali Simba, Deputy Executive Director of EVCI said that as we join the African nations to celebrate 20 years since the adoption of the Maputo Protocol on 11th July this year, we recognize the efforts and achievements made by the government of Rwanda to ratify and domesticate the Protocol, promoting women’s rights and combating discrimination against women as we continue implementing the provisions of the protocol to better the lives of women and girls in Rwanda.

Women and girls’ rights are still limited when it comes to accessing sexual and reproductive health services (SRHR), requesting African human rights activists to advocate for reproductive justice. “By centring African philosophy and reality, we can develop a holistic framework that addresses the multifaceted aspects of reproductive justice. This framework considers the political, socioeconomic, cultural, and religious contexts that shape a woman’s or girl’s decision to have or not to have children, without confining it to the limitations of reproductive rights and choice alone.” Ali said.

Parts of the objectives of this year’s event include catalysing collective action to advance gender equality, holding leaders accountable, empowering the feminist movement, reframing who leads, as well as creating an accessible and inclusive space for everyone.

The Women Deliver 2023 conference was expected to leave a clearer understanding of the difference between reproductive justice and other frameworks of litigating SRHR among activists and stakeholders.

About EVCI

EVCI mission is to improve the standard of living and quality of life of individuals including vulnerable groups through capacity building, advocacy and mentorship.

EVCI vision is to see an empowered society in which individuals, communities, governments and civil society have a clear and nuanced understanding of their country’s human rights performance and use that understanding to bring about changes that improve people’s lives.

EVCI as a new organization is committed to partnering with other civil society organizations (CSOs) in promoting Human Rights especially women and girls.

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