African 'family values' charter condemned by rights groups as regressive and dangerous
A draft new charter aimed at protecting 'family values' in Africa has been condemned by human rights defenders as regressive and dangerous. The document labels sexual and reproductive health and rights as an existential threat to the African family. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
The draft African Charter on the Family, Sovereignty and Values asserts that African values and culture are under threat from 'foreign ideologies'. It calls on states to withdraw from any agreements inconsistent with the charter's principles, including the 2003 Maputo Protocol, which promotes gender equality and protects the reproductive health and rights of women and girls.
The document was considered at a meeting of African countries in Ghana. Human rights defenders consider this charter a step back from international human rights commitments.