Following the publication of the IPU’s regional study on Sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliaments in Africa, many African parliaments accepted the IPU’s call to amplify the findings of the study and talk about sexism with the following local initiatives.
Arab Parliament
In December 2021, the IPU presented the African study at an online meeting of the Arab Parliament to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence.
Benin
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Ms. Baba Moussa read out a statement in parliament summarizing the conclusions of the African study. The parliament also organized a workshop and displayed the IPU illustrations produced to accompany the report.
Gabon
The Chair of the Health and Social Affairs Committee organized a workshop in December with the support of the Speaker of the National Assembly. The illustrations accompanying the study were also displayed in parliament.
Morocco
In December 2021, the House of Councillors, led by its President, commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women by organizing a programme of events. Ms. Adji Diarra Mergane Kanouté, Vice-President of the IPU, presented the IPU study by videoconference.
The programme also included:
- an exhibition of the illustrations produced by the IPU, publications by UN Women, the Council of Europe and civil society on the theme
- handing out of orange scarves to parliamentarians and guests
- a seminar "State of play and perspectives of public policies to combat all forms of discrimination and violence against women"
Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie
The IPU presented the African study and the Guidelines for the elimination of sexism, harassment and violence against women in parliament to the members of the Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie via videoconference.
The guidelines will serve as a basis for a new policy framework against harassment in parliaments that is currently being finalized.
Niger
In December 2021, the Niger Network of Parliamentarians on Gender Issues and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy jointly organized a workshop to present the findings of the African study.
Senegal
In December 2021, Ms. Adji Diarra Mergane Kanouté addressed the plenary of the National Assembly to present the findings of the study in the presence of the Minister of Women, Family, Gender and Child Protection.
Sierra Leone
The report was presented to parliamentarians in November 2021 in a workshop organized by the Parliament and the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus.
South Africa
In December 2021, the Parliament, represented by the Acting Secretary General, and the Women and Gender Rights Forum (a forum made up of parliamentary staff) jointly organized a webinar for parliamentary staff on combating violence against women. The IPU presented the African study and the guidelines.
More events are planned in 2022 including in the Central African Republic and organized by the African Parliamentary Union.
