By Madi Njie

& Saikou Ceesay

Women Human Rights Defenders from Asia, Africa and Latin America at the end of a three day regional consultative meeting preceding the 48th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), have adopted declaration, among others, calling upon the African Union to include the protection of women human rights defenders in the new strategy of human rights in Africa.

The consultative meeting meant to further define strategies to promote their work and press for protective measures, held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel from 4 - 6 November 2010 was organised by the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), in colla boration with Conectas Direitos Humanos, African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), East Horn of African Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRDN) and W est African Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN)/ROPADDH).

Reading the declaration at the closing ceremony, Madam Tilder Kumichii, Gender Empowerment and Development Officer from Cameroon on behalf of the participants "call upon the African Union to include the protection of women human rights defenders in the new strategy of human right in Africa.

She also expressed the need for the AU to consider supporting women who struggle with justice because of the work they carry out.

Madam Kumichii requests the special rapporteurs on women rights and human rights defenders of the African Commission to conduct a joint research on social fundamentalism.

She also called on the need to take ownership of the goals and objectives of the African women’s decade 2010-2020 and to involve in its effective implementation at the local, national, regional and international levels.

She also requests the African Commission to set up mechanism between the special rapporteurs on women’s human rights defenders.

She spoke of the need for promotion of collaboration among women human rights defenders from across the regions to share experiences and best practices to improve protection system in international and regional mechanisms.

She also call on the African Commission to set up a mechanism between the special rapporteur on women’s rights and human rights defenders to give particular attention to the cases of violations against women human rights defenders.

With a view to protect women human rights defenders, she said: "participants designed strategies to sensitise the broader population including men, community, traditional and religious leaders on specific challenges women human rights defenders face; use cultural approaches to highlight the challenges of women and women human rights defenders; promote and strengthen quality documentation with gender perspectives that enhance effective work of the re gional and international special rapporteurs; promote collaboration among women human rights defenders from across regions to share experiences and best practices to improve protection system in international and regional mechanisms; develop support mechanisms for women human rights defenders to effectively manage work related trauma.

Commissioner Soyata Maiga, Special Rapporteur on Rights of Women in Africa said it’s time to move into actions. "We are working as a team and with that we can overcome challenges," noting that the forum gives opportunity to push forward towards realisation of our common objectives.

In her closing remarks, Madam Reine Alapini- Gansou - African Commission Chair said a lot have been said about women human rights defenders, noting that there is a need to take stock of the past, with a view to forge ahead in this endeavor. She also said sisters in other countries should be inform about what have been discussed during the three days consultative meeting.

"We also advocate for dialogue, pointing out that nothing can be done in isolation. We need dialogue, in the absence of which nothing is possible," she said.

Other speakers at the closing ceremony include Muhammed Khalfallah Commissioner for Human Rights Defenders in Africa.

Mr Clement Voule of the International Service for Human Rights chaired the ceremony.