The Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Jane Ansah, has called for a comprehensive and holistic approach to advancing women’s rights across Africa.

Ms Ansah, represented by her daughter, Janet Ansah, made the call on Friday in Enugu during the 60th birthday anniversary of renowned human rights advocate, Joy Ezeilo.

Delivering a keynote address, Ms Ansah emphasised that advancing women’s rights required more than legal frameworks, urging African nations to adopt integrated strategies that address social, economic, institutional, and cultural barriers.

She described Ms Ezeilo as a symbol of resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to justice, noting that her life’s work had significantly contributed to promoting human rights and dignity across local and global platforms.

“Women’s rights are not peripheral but central to sustainable democracy and development,” she said.

The vice president highlighted Ms Ezeilo’s contributions as a scholar, activist, and former United Nations Special Rapporteur.

Ms Ansah noted that in spite of progress made through constitutional provisions and legal instruments such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act and the Child Rights Act, gender inequality persisted across the continent.

She attributed this to weak enforcement, institutional gaps, and entrenched patriarchal norms.

She further pointed out that Africa’s legal systems, often shaped by statutory, customary, and religious frameworks, sometimes undermined the realisation of gender equality, leaving many women with limited access to justice.

According to her, challenges such as gender-based violence (GBV), harmful traditional practices, and economic exclusion are not merely legal concerns but broader development issues requiring coordinated action.

Ms Ansah stressed the importance of economic empowerment, noting that limited access to land, credit, and financial systems continued to hinder women’s participation in economic development, particularly in rural communities.

She also drew attention to emerging challenges, including digital inequality, climate change, and migration, which disproportionately affected women and girls.

On climate change, she noted that women remained highly vulnerable to environmental shocks despite playing key roles in sustaining livelihoods yet were often excluded from decision-making processes.

Highlighting Ms Ezeilo’s legacy, Ms Ansah said her work demonstrated the importance of bridging law, policy, and practice to achieve meaningful social transformation.

The vice president commended her efforts in strengthening access to justice, combating GBV and fostering collaboration between institutions and civil society.

She called for strengthened institutions, inclusive policies, and greater investment in education, stressing that achieving gender equality required collective responsibility and sustained commitment across all sectors.

Ms Ansah concluded by urging African governments, institutions, and citizens to move beyond policy declarations to actionable steps that ensure real protection and empowerment for women, particularly at the grassroots level.

“Africa stands at a critical juncture,” she said, noting the continent’s growing population and development potential.

“Advancing women’s rights is not only a moral obligation but also a governance and development priority,” Ms Ansah said. 

(NAN)