African governments have ratified treaties such as the Maputo Protocol and the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, but in practice, violence and discrimination remain rampant.

Development Diaries reports that governments often pass gender-equality laws to look good internationally but then fail to fund or enforce them.

For example, South Africa’s constitution and international commitments mandate protection against domestic abuse – yet a UN review found the state’s ‘consistent failure’ to investigate and prosecute abusers violated women’s rights.

The UN committee noted that delegating survivor support to underfunded NGOs is insufficient, stressing that the state itself must provide shelters and services.

In other words, laws exist, but budgets and action do not.

This pattern is widespread, as budget lines for violence prevention, helplines or victim shelters are often tokenistic or absent. Governments may hold one conference or summit on gender violence each year, but daily realities on the ground change little.

Political campaigns sometimes highlight gender parity pledges, yet women remain a tiny fraction of senior officials, with African regional bodies like the AU having conventions and charters but few enforcement mechanisms.

It is national leaders – presidents, ministers, and legislators – who must choose whether to move beyond words. Time and again, they choose not to.

The most vulnerable women and girls pay the price, as survivors of sexual violence, especially in rural areas, often see their attackers go free.

Also, young girls with disabilities or from poor villages – already at higher risk – find no avenue for justice or recovery.

The ‘leave no one behind’ promise rings hollow when budgets for women’s shelters or legal aid vanish. Africa’s demographic dividend, with half the population under 25, will sputter if half its people continue to face unchecked violence.

Citizens and advocates can push for change by tracking laws and budgets. You should monitor whether parliaments have actually passed implementing legislation after signing treaties, and whether funds have been allocated to victim support services.

You can also demand survivor-centered funding by campaigning for dedicated funding of shelters, counseling and legal aid centres. Emphasise that these are not charity but the state’s obligation under human rights law.

Also hold leaders accountable, using elections and media to ask politicians directly why ratified treaties have had no effect on women’s lives. 

African governments have signed up to global and regional norms on women’s rights, and now, they must act. Because when they fail, it is the women they promised to protect who suffer most.