A newly proposed African charter, which seeks to redefine family values and reject established international human rights norms, has stirred significant controversy following a conference in Accra, Ghana. Led by the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, the gathering aimed to advance a draft treaty that many critics argue undermines sexual and reproductive rights across the continent.
The Draft Charter’s Controversial Provisions
The draft, entitled the African Charter on Family, Sovereignty, and Values, asserts that foreign ideologies threaten African culture and values. It encourages member states to withdraw from international agreements that do not align with its principles, notably the 2003 Maputo Protocol, which promotes gender equality and protects women’s reproductive health rights.
This charter marks a significant shift towards a legal framework rooted in moralistic rather than rights-based perspectives. Within its text, it falsely claims that sexual and reproductive health policies lead to unrestricted abortion and dismisses comprehensive sex education as inappropriate for children. Additionally, it enshrines a binary understanding of gender and prioritises parental authority over child rights, which raises alarms about potential abuses and discrimination.
Responses from Human Rights Advocates
Legal experts and advocates for reproductive rights, including those from LGBTQ+ communities, have denounced the charter as regressive and alarming. Gilbert Mitullah, a Kenyan lawyer and representative of the Queer African Network, described the draft as a “licence to oppose” progress on sexual and reproductive health rights, suggesting it could dismantle existing protections within the Maputo Protocol even before it is ratified.
The charter was developed by a coalition of African lawmakers, notably influenced by Ugandan officials, during this year’s inter-parliamentary conference on family values. With representatives from 20 African nations in attendance, the conference aimed to secure support for the charter ahead of a vote at the African Union general assembly scheduled for February.
Critics argue that the charter’s narrow definition of family—strictly rooted in heterosexual marriage—overlooks the diverse family structures that exist across the continent’s 54 nations. An analysis by the Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa (ISLA) warns that prioritising collective family interests could lead to the subjugation of individual rights, especially for women and children in situations of violence or discrimination.
The Influence of External Forces
The discourse surrounding the charter reveals a troubling intersection with external conservative Christian organisations from the West, which have long opposed abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. Famia Nkansa, communications lead at Purposeful, a Sierra Leone-based organisation advocating for girls’ activism, highlighted that the continent has become a battleground for ideological conflicts, with local anti-rights movements echoing colonial narratives.
Moreover, the charter draws on language from the Geneva Consensus Declaration, an anti-abortion manifesto associated with former Trump administration adviser Valerie Huber. Mitullah characterises the charter as a product of a “transnational network,” asserting that its framing is designed to convey an illusion of indigenous African authorship.
Family Watch International (FWI), a US-based Christian lobbying group, has expressed support for the charter, particularly its restrictions on comprehensive sex education. However, they also claimed that FWI does not play a direct role in the conference itself.
The Path Forward
The charter’s advancement illustrates a growing trend where conservative values are increasingly prioritised over established human rights frameworks. Many fear this could set a dangerous precedent for future human rights discussions across the continent.
Ghana’s ongoing legislative actions, including a recent law criminalising LGBTQ+ activities, further indicate a troubling trajectory for human rights in the region. As nations navigate these complex issues, the outcome of the proposed charter could significantly impact the rights and freedoms of millions of Africans.
Why it Matters
The potential adoption of this charter is not merely a legal matter; it represents a pivotal moment in the struggle for human rights and equality in Africa. By prioritising a narrow interpretation of family values over established international norms, the charter risks reversing progress on gender equality and reproductive rights. This could have far-reaching consequences, reinforcing existing inequalities and stifling the voices of those advocating for a more inclusive society. As discussions unfold, the international community must pay close attention to ensure that the rights of all individuals, irrespective of their gender or sexual orientation, are protected and upheld.
