A coalition of feminist organisations in Africa has urged the Federal Government to legislate for protection and preservation of rights of women, especially the most vulnerable, in the country.
   
It also demanded immediate domestication of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, otherwise known as the Maputo Protocol (CODMAP). 
   
The appeal was contained in a statement signed by the groups, which include Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF), International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Cedar Seed Foundation, BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights (BAOBAB), Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF) and National Council for Women Society (NCWS)
   
Others are National Orientation Agency (NOA), Alliances for Africa (AfA), Centre for Gender Economics (GCE), Initiative for Gender Equality and Sexual Reproductive Health (IGE-SRH), Do Foundation and Bayelsa State Gender Response Initiative Team.
   
The bodies said: “CODMAP seeks to achieve an ultimate goal of defending and advancing the human rights of women and girls, which include better protection against all forms of violence, access to justice, economic and political empowerment.” 
   
They stressed that the protocol, when domesticated, would address gender inequality in political participation and representation, access to quality education, economic empowerment, social integration and development, access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health, abuse and violence against women and girls.
   
The groups equally urged government, critical stakeholders and concerned individuals to partner on efforts to promote and popularise the protocol, by conducting workshops, and enlightening communities about its relevance and benefits to the society.