Ouagadougou: The organization Alliance Droits et Sant© launched an urgent appeal on Monday to African states for the urgent and concrete implementation of the African Union Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, adopted last February. For the organization, this historic commitment risks remaining a dead letter without strong political will, a harmonized legal framework, and sustainable financing.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Alliance, which operates in six West African countries-Benin, Burkina Faso, C´te d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Senegal-urges governments to develop and implement effective national action plans with clear budgets and involving all relevant stakeholders. It emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen existing laws, criminalize all forms of gender-based violence (GBV), and guarantee survivors simplified access to justice.

The organization also calls for a significant increase in funding, both public and private, to support measures to combat GBV. In particular, it encourages the mobilization of the private sector through corporate social responsibility and the creation of dedicated, transparent, and monitored funds.

Finally, she advocates for better coordination between stakeholders, the strengthening of specialized centers, the digitalization of data, and the training of field professionals, in order to guarantee comprehensive and consistent care for survivors.

"Every day of delay exposes more women and girls to unacceptable violence. The time for promises is over, and now is the time for action," insists Alliance Droits et Sant©, which calls on all stakeholders-governments, technical and financial partners, civil society, feminist movements, and businesses-to act together to build an Africa where every woman and girl can live freely, safely, and with dignity.