Angolan Vice-President Discusses Ratification of Convention Against Violence Towards Women

Angolan Vice-President Esperança da Costa recently engaged with an African Union delegation to discuss the ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG). This development signals Angola's potential to further strengthen its legal framework for combating gender-based violence, building upon its existing domestic legislation and its 2007 ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol). The AU CEVAWG, adopted in February 2025, offers a dedicated and comprehensive instrument to prevent, eliminate, and respond to all forms of violence against women and girls, addressing contemporary challenges and aiming to bridge the gap between legal commitments and lived realities.

In a significant move towards bolstering women's rights and protection, Angolan Vice-President Esperança da Costa recently held discussions with a delegation from the African Union (AU) concerning the ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG). This high-level engagement, which took place during the 2nd International Women's Forum for Peace and Democracy in Luanda, underscores Angola's commitment to addressing the pervasive issue of gender-based violence on the continent. The potential ratification of this new Convention represents a critical juncture for Angola, promising to reinforce its existing legal architecture designed to safeguard women and girls from various forms of abuse.

The AU CEVAWG, adopted by the African Union in February 2025, is poised to become a landmark instrument, offering a comprehensive and legally binding framework specifically dedicated to the prevention, elimination, and effective response to violence against women and girls. For legal professionals in Angola, this development necessitates a thorough understanding of the Convention's provisions and its interplay with national laws and previously ratified international instruments. The discussions initiated by the Vice-President highlight a proactive approach to align Angola with continental efforts to achieve gender equality and ensure the dignity and security of all women.

Angola has a foundational commitment to women's rights through its ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, commonly known as the Maputo Protocol, on August 30, 2007. This Protocol, adopted in 2003 and entering into force in 2005, is a comprehensive human rights instrument that guarantees a wide array of rights to women, including the right to participate in political processes, social and political equality with men, autonomy in reproductive health decisions, and the elimination of harmful practices such as female genital mutilation.

Domestically, Angola has also enacted several legislative measures to combat violence against women and promote gender equality. Notably, Law No. 25/11 of July 14, 2011, criminalized domestic violence, defining it broadly to include physical, sexual, psychological, and verbal abuse, and classifying it as a "public crime," allowing any person to report its occurrence. This law was further regulated by Presidential Decree No. 124/13 of August 28, 2013. Additionally, Presidential Decree No. 222/13 approved the National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity, outlining a strategic approach to gender-based violence. The country's new Criminal Code, instituted in January 2019, also prohibits discrimination on various grounds and increased sanctions for crimes committed against women. These national instruments, alongside Article 35 of the Angolan Constitution which affirms equal rights and status for both genders, form the bedrock of Angola's legal framework for women's protection.

The recent discussions regarding the ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG) signify a crucial evolution in the continental and national approach to gender-based violence. Adopted in February 2025, the AU CEVAWG is a dedicated legal instrument that builds upon existing frameworks like the Maputo Protocol and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), but with a specific and comprehensive focus on violence. Its provisions are designed to establish a legally binding framework for the prevention, elimination, and effective response to all forms of violence against women and girls across Africa, addressing root causes and strengthening legal and institutional mechanisms.

Key innovations of the AU CEVAWG include its explicit affirmation of the right of women and girls to live free from violence (Article 2) and its extended protection across both public and private spheres, encompassing emerging challenges such as violence in cyberspace and conflict settings (Article 3). Significantly, the Convention also explicitly defines and addresses femicide, recognizing it as one of the most extreme forms of gender-based violence. While Angola has already ratified the broader Maputo Protocol, which includes provisions against violence, the AU CEVAWG offers a more targeted and detailed instrument, providing a robust framework for states to reinforce their commitment to ending violence.

For Angola, ratifying the AU CEVAWG would entail a commitment to harmonize its national laws with the Convention's provisions, allocate resources for its implementation, and periodically report on progress to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. While Angola has made strides with its Law No. 25/11 on Domestic Violence and other policies, challenges persist in the effective enforcement of these laws, particularly in rural areas where customary law may sometimes prevail and societal discrimination remains a problem. Limited investigative resources, poor forensic capabilities, and an ineffective judicial system have historically hindered the prosecution of many cases of violence against women. The ratification of the AU CEVAWG could provide renewed impetus and a clearer mandate for strengthening these areas, promoting greater accountability, and ensuring that the gap between legal commitments and the lived realities of women and girls is narrowed. It also mandates the establishment of robust coordination mechanisms among government bodies, civil society, and international partners, which is crucial for effective implementation.

The Angolan Vice-President's discussions on the ratification of the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls represent a pivotal moment for women's rights in the country. While Angola has demonstrated a commitment to combating gender-based violence through its domestic legislation and the ratification of the Maputo Protocol, the AU CEVAWG offers a specialized and comprehensive tool to address this persistent challenge more effectively. Its ratification would not only align Angola more closely with continental efforts but also provide a stronger legal basis for addressing specific forms of violence, including femicide, and extending protection to new domains like cyberspace.

For legal practitioners, this development underscores the increasing importance of understanding the interplay between international, regional, and national legal instruments. Attorneys must be prepared to leverage the provisions of the AU CEVAWG, once ratified, in conjunction with existing Angolan laws such as Law No. 25/11, to advocate for victims and ensure accountability. Furthermore, the focus must extend beyond mere ratification to robust domestication and effective implementation, including advocating for improved investigative capacities, judicial efficiency, and public awareness campaigns. Continued vigilance and advocacy from the legal community will be essential to translate the promise of this Convention into tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls across Angola.