The Centre for Human Rights Gender Unit, with the generous support of UNAIDS, convened an expert working group meeting in Dakar, Senegal from 28 - 29 September 2012 to broaden consultation on the draft general comment on article (14)(1)(d) & (e) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.

The general comment elaborates the nature and scope of the provisions in questions and clarifies state obligations towards complying with the identified provisions, namely concerning women's protection from HIV infection and issues related to information, testing and disclosure in line with international human rights standards.

The general comment elaborates the nature and scope of the provisions in questions and clarifies state obligations towards complying with the identified provisions, namely concerning women's protection from HIV infection and issues related to information, testing and disclosure in line with international human rights standards.

The initial draft was developed by an expert working group that met in Pretoria in June, 2012

The meeting was attended by experts on the intersection of women's human rights, HIV, and sexual and reproductive health, mainly from the West African region, including a former member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee), Ms Dorcas Coker-Appiah from Ghana.   

The general comment was strengthened considerably by the conclusion of the meeting and was finalised in time to deliver it in french and english to the Commissioners of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights prior to the 52cd session of the Commission in October in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.  The proposed general comment is on the session agenda to be considered for adoption by the Commission.  

The project has also received funding support from the Solidarity for African Women's Rights Network (SOAWR), of which the Centre for Human Rights is a member.