KELIN hosts sub-regional dialogue on opportunities to advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights through the East African Court of Justice

The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) is established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community (the Treaty) and is a sub-regional court mandated to interpret and enforce the Treaty and resolve issues involving the EAC and its Member States.

Since its inception, the EACJ’s legitimacy to adjudicate on human rights cases has been an issue causing various debates within the EAC and globally. Despite these debates, EACJ has increasingly become actively involved in the protection of human rights.

In recognition of the important role the EACJ can play in the protection of human rights within the East African Community (EAC) and cognizant of growing interest to protect sexual and reproductive health and rights through legislation, as has been seen through the enactment of the EAC HIV and AIDS Prevention and Management Act and the proposed Sexual and Reproductive Health Bill, KELIN is convening a two-day  dialogue with 20 civil society representatives within the sub-region on opportunities to use the EACJ to advance SRHR.

The dialogue, which shall take place on 11-12 October 2017 in Arusha, Tanzania, has the following objectives to:

  1. introduce participants to the constitutive documents of the East African Community and the East African Court of Justice;
  2. contextualize sexual and reproductive health and rights within the East African context; and
  3. deliberate on the opportunities available to civil society organizations to engage the Court for the advancement of SRHR.

At the end of this forum, KELIN hopes to develop an action plan that will inform concerted efforts within the EAC to advocate for SRHR using the available mechanisms.

To contribute to the discussions on this forum follow KELIN on our social media platforms:

Twitter: @KELINKenya using hashtag #EACJ #SRHR #breakingthebarriers

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kelinkenya

 

For more information contact:

 

Nerima Were

Programme Officer Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights

Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)

4th Floor, Somak Building, Mombasa Road

Tel +254202515790

Email: nwere@kelinkenya.org