West Africa Regional Consultation on PAP Draft Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity Opens in Accra

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has convened the West Africa regional consultation on the Draft Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity, marking another milestone in the continent-wide effort to harmonize legal frameworks and accelerate progress toward gender justice.

The consultation, currently underway in Accra, brings together legislators, policymakers, and civil society stakeholders to enrich and validate the draft text before its final adoption. It reflects PAP’s mandate under Article 11(3) of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community, which empowers the Parliament to work toward the harmonization of laws across African Union (AU) Member States.

A Platform for Reflection and Commitment

Opening the consultation, Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, praised the Pan-African Parliament for its leadership in drafting a continental framework that places gender equality and equity at the core of Africa’s development agenda.

“The Draft Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity demonstrates commitment and readiness to promote gender justice, equality, and empowerment, thereby ensuring that no one is left behind,” she stated.

She emphasized that the gathering offers West Africa an opportunity to assess its progress, celebrate achievements, and renew commitments to closing the gender gap. “It is now up to Member States to make the implementation of this model law a national priority once finalized and passed,” Dr. Lartey added, thanking the PAP Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and Persons with Disabilities for creating the platform for regional dialogue.

Highlighting Ghana’s record, Dr. Lartey noted that the country has steadily integrated gender concerns into policy frameworks, building a foundation for “a stable, united, inclusive, and prosperous country where all individuals have an equal voice and opportunity.”

A Strategic Necessity for the Continent

Also addressing participants, Hon. Mariam Dao-Gabala, Chairperson of PAP’s Committee on Gender Equality, Family, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, underscored that the draft law is both a necessity and a catalyst.

“This model law is not a rigid text. It is dynamic, and its strength will lie in the diversity of voices that have contributed to it. That is why your presence here is so crucial,” she told delegates.

Dao-Gabala explained that the instrument aims to provide an adaptable reference framework that reflects international standards while remaining rooted in African values and cultures. She noted that since its initiation in 2023, the draft has benefited from wide-ranging consultations across the continent: in Lusaka for Southern Africa, Nairobi for East Africa, and N’Djamena for Central Africa.

“Today, it is West Africa’s turn to be heard, to share its specificities, experiences, and expectations,” she added, confirming that the process will conclude with a North African consultation in Morocco before the final adoption scheduled for November 2025 during the PAP Plenary.

Background to the Model Law

The Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity originated from a resolution of the Pan-African Parliament in October 2022 (PAP.6/PLN/RES/14/NOV.22), following a proposal by its Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. Conceived as a soft-law instrument, it is designed to support AU Member States in strengthening their national legal, institutional, and regulatory frameworks on gender equality.

A draft was prepared and subjected to a Technical Review Meeting in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in May 2025. The text was then tabled in the PAP Plenary for a first reading in July 2025, where Members of Parliament adopted it in principle and mandated further consultations with AU institutions, national and regional parliaments, and civil society organizations before final adoption.

Toward a Gender-Just Africa

The Accra consultation represents a vital step in ensuring that the Model Law is inclusive, relevant, and responsive to Africa’s diverse contexts. By engaging stakeholders across subregions, PAP is building both legitimacy and ownership of the process, ensuring that the final text will serve as a credible continental benchmark.

With momentum building, stakeholders across West Africa are expected to inject critical perspectives that will help shape a law capable of driving gender equality and equity forward on the continent. If adopted in November 2025, the Model Law will stand as a testament to Africa’s collective resolve to close gender gaps and entrench inclusive development.