The Secretariat of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Secretariat) wishes to inform the general public that the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, Honourable Commissioner Soyata Maiga of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) will be organizing the afore-mentioned Seminar in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Child and Family Affairs of the Republic of Mali, from 28 to 30 October 2014 in Bamako, Mali.

The objective of the Seminar is to amongst other things, assess the impact of the conflict in Mali on women and girls in the country, who account for the vast majority of those adversely affected by the crises. The Seminar will also discuss the Commission’s contribution towards protecting the rights of women and girls in Mali during the crises with various stakeholders. This Seminar, which is part of the promotion mandate of the Commission, is being organized within the framework of Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The Seminar will be attended by representatives from Government, civil society, African Union and United Nations. It will be chaired by the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa.

Banjul, 20 October 2014

For further information, please contact: Mr. Hubert Gouleyo at gouleyo@gmail.com and Ms. Irene Desiree Mbengue @ irenedesire@yahoo.com, should you have any questions regarding the Seminar.