In commemoration of the first anniversary of the protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa and the celebrations of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, activities organised by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Right studies are currently underway.

Some events for this year’s celebrations include TV programmes, press conferences, symposium and a Human Right lecture, to be held on December 10, 2006.

A press release from the ACDHRS, states that the entry into force of the AU protocol on the Right of Women in Africa heralds a new dawn in the lives of African women and that the protocol enforces the realisation of women’s right in Africa, disregarding gender stereotypes and other forms of discrimination.

The release noted that The Gambia, has already ratified the protocol and has progressively withdrawn all reservations placed on the attention on the process of domesticating the provisions of the protocol into our national laws and eventually on the full implementation of these provisions.

“It is against this backdrop that the African centre chooses to focus on domesticating the protocol in The Gambia as a theme in commemorating the 1th anniversary. This celebration is never-the-less in two fold as we observe the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence, which is internationally- declared and celebrated annually between the 25 November and the 10 December.