Protocol remains one of the most important human rights instrument- Dr Durojaye

 The lecture traced the history of the drafting of the Protocol and the factors that necessitated the adoption of the Protocol. It also discussed some of the groundbreaking provisions of the Protocol and how African governments can effectively implement these provisions in order to advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women.

Dr Durojaye noted that the Protocol remains one of the most important human rights instruments with explicit provisions promoting and protecting women’s socioeconomic rights, including their sexual and reproductive rights. Sadly, however, due to poor implementation and lack of political will the situation of African women has hardly improved.

Prof. Olubayo Oluduro, the Dean Faculty of Law delivered the welcome address where he pointed out that one of the ways the Faculty has tried to maintain academic excellence is through regular hosting of guest lecturers from renowned institutions across the world that are experts in their field of research.

According to him, such lectures have provided great opportunities for many of the law students not only to learn from the guest lecturers but also to foster mentorship relationships with them. In his opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Olufemi Mimiko, represented by Prof. Oluyemisi Adebowale, the Dean Faculty of Arts noted that African women have continued to encounter discriminatory practices often compounded by religious and cultural practices.

He observed that the adoption of the African Women’s Protocol by the African Union in 2003 was a step in the right direction to address discriminatory practices against women in the region. He lamented however, that much more still needed to be done in order for women to fully enjoy their human rights in the region.

The lecture was attended by over 500 students from various faculties, including law, social sciences and Arts.