Arusha, 25 August 2025: During its 78th Ordinary Session (1 to 26 September 2025), the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) will host a high-level Conference on “Enhancing Women’s Engagement with the Procedures of the African Court” from 3 to 4 September 2025, at its Seat in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania.
The two-day Conference will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including counsel on the Court’s Roster under the Court’s Legal Aid Scheme, Civil Society Organisations and NGOs focusing on gender and women’s rights. The conference will also feature, gender equality experts and AU organs with a human rights mandate.
The overall objective of the Conference is to strengthen the knowledge and skills of the aforementioned stakeholders on the Court’s procedures and jurisprudence.
Furthermore, the Conference is designed to address some of the barriers that limit the stakeholders’ engagement with the Court. The barriers include: lack of awareness, and under-representation in the legal profession. Beyond, addressing the said barriers, the conference will also foster networking and partnership building among the participants.
The Conference builds on the outcomes of the Judicial Seminar held in February 2025 under the theme “Advancing Justice for Women Through Reparations”, as part of the events for the Opening of the 2025 Judicial Year of the Court together with the 76th Ordinary Session of the Court. That Judicial Seminar underscored the need to, among others, enhance awareness on the Court’s procedures and jurisprudence and enhance support for greater representation of indigent applicants through the Court’s Legal Aid Scheme.
The President of the Court, Honourable Justice Modibo Sacko, in his remarks preceding the conference, underlined its importance not only for advancing women’s participation, but also for strengthening human rights protection more broadly.
“Women are at the centre of Africa’s social fabric, yet they face structural barriers in seeking justice. By engaging practitioners, civil society and AU partners together, the Court hopes that the Conference will move beyond dialogue to action by providing concrete tools and entry points for meaningful engagement.” he said.
Further information on registration and the detailed programme can be obtained through the official platforms of the Court.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) is an organ of the African Union established by African Union Member States to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa.
- The Court complements and reinforces the protective mandate of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
- The Court is composed of eleven Judges, nationals of Member States of the African Union elected in their individual capacity.
- The Court meets four times a year in Ordinary Sessions and may hold Extra-Ordinary Sessions.
Further information on the Court can be obtained from
www.african-court.org Telephone: +255 680 500 555
For further inquiries: Deputy Registrar, Mrs Grace Wakio Kakai – Grace.Wakio@african-court.org
For media inquiries: Chipiliro Kansilanga Ngue – Senior Information & Communication Officer and Head – Communication Unit Chipiliro.Kansilanga@african-court.org
