Draft African Charter on Family Values Advances, Draws Condemnation
An African treaty, the "African charter on family, sovereignty and values," has moved closer to becoming policy following a meeting of governments in Ghana. The draft asserts that African values and culture are under attack from "foreign ideologies" and views sexual and reproductive health and rights as an "existential threat to the African family." The charter urges states to withdraw from agreements not aligned with its principles, specifically mentioning the 2003 Maputo protocol, which promotes gender equality and protects the reproductive and health rights of women and girls. Rights groups have condemned the proposed charter, labeling it as regressive and dangerous.
A draft African charter focusing on family, sovereignty, and values is nearing policy adoption across the continent. This development follows a recent meeting of African governments held in Ghana to discuss the proposed treaty.
The charter, titled the "African charter on family, sovereignty and values," asserts that traditional African values and culture are facing threats from "foreign ideologies." It also controversially claims that sexual and reproductive health and rights pose an "existential threat to the African family."
Central to the draft charter's provisions is a call for states to withdraw from international agreements that do not align with its principles. Among the protocols specifically referenced for potential withdrawal is the 2003 Maputo protocol. The Maputo protocol is recognized for its role in promoting gender equality and safeguarding the reproductive and health rights of women and girls.
The progression of this draft treaty has drawn significant criticism from various rights groups, who have widely condemned it as both regressive and dangerous.
(Source: The Guardian World)
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