‘Family values’ push threatens to roll back women’s rights, advocates warn ahead of UNGA81

Nairobi, Kenya - African women's rights advocates have expressed concern that appeals to "family values", culture, religion, and national sovereignty are being used to undermine hard-fought protections for women and girls. They urged for stronger public engagement and accountability to prevent a rollback of gender equality gains ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

During a SHE & Rights session, the focus was on how political and legal debates often employ family, cultural, and religious narratives to support discriminatory laws. Dr. Robert Eno, Registrar of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights, noted that a proposed African Charter on "family sovereignty and values" was not yet a priority for the African Union Assembly, though he expressed concerns about potential delays.

Rehema Namukose, a regional program officer for Musawah, highlighted how anti-rights actors were using family protection language to delay reforms on marriage, divorce, and custody rights in countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. Musawah and other groups are working to challenge these arguments by promoting egalitarian Islamic principles that support women's rights within Muslim legal and religious traditions.