20th anniversary of the Bamako Declaration: Fighting against early marriages and forced marriages in the French-speaking world
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Bamako Declaration, the Secretary General of La Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo, initiated a cycle of “Francophone Conversations” to discuss contemporary and major issues for the Francophone space, relating to human rights. Man, fundamental freedoms and democracy.
Twenty years ago, on November 3, 2000, the states and governments of the Francophonie adopted the Bamako Declaration on the practices of democracy, rights and freedoms. By proclaiming that “Francophonie and democracy are inseparable”, the Bamako Declaration marks a major step in the political construction of the institutional Francophonie, whose 50th anniversary we are celebrating this year.
This reference text constitutes not only the ambitious reference framework on democratic principles and human rights that the members of La Francophonie are committed to promoting and protecting, but also the framework of action for the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF).
Four main principles are thus listed as so many requirements for the French-speaking community, which structure the intervention on the ground of the OIF: for the consolidation of the rule of law; for the holding of free, reliable and transparent elections; for a peaceful political life; and for the promotion of an internalized democratic culture and full respect for human rights.
To mark this important anniversary, the Secretary General of La Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo, is organizing a cycle of “Francophone Conversations” to discuss, in the light of Bamako’s heritage, on contemporary and major issues for the Francophone space, relating to human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Bamako Declaration, the Secretary General of La Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo, initiated a cycle of “Francophone Conversations” to discuss contemporary and major issues for the Francophone space, relating to human rights. Man, fundamental freedoms and democracy.
The 3rd and last Conversation of this cycle will be held by videoconference on Thursday, January 21, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., on the theme: « Fighting against early and forced marriages in the French-speaking world ».
« This is a subject that is particularly close to my heart, since these early and forced marriages constitute a major obstacle to equality between men and women, which I have made one of my priorities at the head of the Francophonie »
Every year, 12 million girls are married under the age of 18 worldwide, or 1 in 5 girls, according to the NGO Plan International. In West and Central Africa, more than 4 in 10 young women are married before their eighteenth year.
« This subject falls fully within our mandate and our commitments to the protection and promotion of human rights, » said Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo, who will open and conclude this online conversation. « This is a subject that is particularly close to my heart, since these early and forced marriages constitute a major obstacle to equality between men and women, which I have made one of my priorities at the head of the Francophonie ”, she adds.
« This Virtual Conversation will be an opportunity for participants to exchange freely and openly on the advances and persistent obstacles in the area of early and forced marriage »
Several international and regional instruments prohibit harmful practices against women and children, including early and forced marriages. While most of the member states of La Francophonie have ratified these human rights instruments, child, early or forced marriage still remains a reality in the South but also in the North.
« This virtual conversation will be an opportunity for participants to exchange freely and openly on the progress and persistent obstacles in matters of early and forced marriage, » said the Organization in a statement. The objective is to identify the positive initiatives and good experiences that can help to roll back these harmful traditional practices within the French-speaking world. »
This event, which will see the participation of representatives of States and governments, actors of the Charter and of the Conference of INGOs of La Francophonie, will be broadcast live on the OIF’s social networks: https: //www.facebook. com / OIFrancophonie
To find out more about the Conversations francophones: https://www.francophonie.org/20e-anniversaire-de-la-declaration-de-bamako-sur-la-democratie-les-droits-et-les-libertes-1488
For more information: www.francophonie.org
