On the occasion of International Women’s Rights Day, celebrated this March 8, 2026, the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of women’s and girls’ rights, gender equality and effective access to equitable justice throughout its area.
Placed this year under the international theme Rights, Justice, Action for all women and girls “Despite the progress made, legal and structural inequalities persist.
On a global scale, women still only benefit from around 64%.[1] of the legal rights accorded to men, particularly in key areas such as employment, security, family, property, mobility and social protection. At the current rate, it would still take several generations to achieve effective legal equality.
In the CEN-SAD region, these disparities are reflected in persistent obstacles to access to justice, compounded by insufficiently protective legal frameworks, discriminatory practices and prejudicial social norms.
Without inclusive, accessible and gender-sensitive justice systems, the rights of women and girls remain fragile and unevenly enforced.
CEN-SAD recalls that equality between women and men is a fundamental pillar of peace, stability and sustainable development, in line with continental and international commitments, notably the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and international human rights instruments.
On this symbolic day, March 8, 2026, CEN-SAD calls on its member states, as well as all institutional players, civil society, the private sector, the media and young people, to :
- strengthen national legal frameworks by eliminating discriminatory laws and practices;
- guarantee effective access to justice for all women and girls, including the most vulnerable;
- prevent and combat all forms of gender-based violence ;
- promote the full and effective participation of women in economic, social, political and institutional life.
Finally, CEN-SAD reaffirms its determination to work in coordination with its regional and international partners, in particular UN Women, to make the rights of women and girls a concrete and lasting reality in its area.
[1] World Bank (2024). Women, Business and the Law 2024. Washington, DC: World Bank.
N’Djamena 07/03/2026
Read the press release: https: //censad.int/activites/communiques/
