In July 2023, the UPR Project at BCU submitted a report to Chad’s UPR, led by Dr Alice Storey, Dr Philip Oamen, and Ms Yuki Taylor (of Arizona State University). This report focuses on women’s and children’s rights, in particular the eradication of female genital mutilation and domestic abuse.
Researchers
- Dr Alice Storey
- Dr Philip Oamen
- Ms Yuki Taylor (Arizona State University)
- Dr Amna Nazir
- Professor Jon Yorke
Consultancy background
This Stakeholder Report focuses upon (a) female genital mutilation and (b) domestic abuse. Wemake recommendations to the Government of Chad on these key issues, implementation of which would see the State move towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 which aims for “gender equality and empowering all women and girls”.
On 17 November 2023, the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights published its Stakeholder Summary Report for Chad, which cited the UPR Project at BCU and Arizona State University’s joint submission (JS5):
JS5 recommended to ratify the Maputo Protocol and ensure its provisions are implemented in practice, for example, through passing and applying domestic legislation. (Para 4)
JS5 noted that female genital mutilation (FGM) prevalence varies widely across Chad, with differences showing depending upon ethnicity, regional location, and religion. Ethnicity and region appear to be the most significant factors in the perpetration of FGM. Among women, the prevalence of FGM is the highest in Arab and Ouaadai/Maba/Massalit/Mimi communities with figures at 89.8 per cent and 82 per cent respectively. In contrast, the prevalence in the Kenemu-Borno ethnicity is 10.2 per cent. Religion also plays a significant role. Among girls, the highest figure is in Muslim communities at 20 per cent. However, among women, the prevalence is 35.1 per cent in Christians communities and 30.0 per cent in other religions. There is also a direct link between FGM and child, early, and forced marriages. Despite the established legal framework for prohibition and punishment in Chad, FGM continues to have the support of local leaders, with impunity and political influence hindering its eradication. (Para 37)
JS5 recommended to (i) fully engage with the recommendations made during the UPR regarding FGM, providing clear responses to recommendations and setting out specific plans for implementation; (ii) Develop education provisions for all people in Chad regarding FGM. This should include, but is not limited to, formal education and training, and other, alternative sources of media; (iii) Directly engage with local, rural, and religious leaders in terms of education and support, creating a provision specifically for them, with the aim of eliminating FGM as a cultural practice; and (iv) Establish opportunities to work with CSOs that are offering projects and strategies to tackle FGM, providing financial support where possible. (Para 41)
JS5 recommended to (i) Set out a clear and realistic timetable for the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Older Persons, supporting its entry into force within the African continent, and more specifically, in Chad; and (ii) Once the Older Persons’ Protocol has entered into force in Chad, the government must commit to implementing its provisions, providing a clear and achievable plan for ensuring effective implementation. (Para 44)
(Outcome of the review yet to be published)
About the UPR Project at BCU
The Centre for Human Rights (CHR) has been engaging with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) since 2016. Under the auspice of the Human Rights Council, the UPR is an intergovernmental process providing a review of the human rights record of all Member States.
Through the UPR Project at BCU, the CHR we engage with the UPR through taking part in the UPR Pre-sessions, providing capacity building for UPR stakeholders and National Human Rights Institutions, and the filing of stakeholder reports in selected sessions. The UPR Project is designed to help meet the challenges facing the safeguarding of human rights around the world, and to help ensure that UPR recommendations are translated into domestic legal change in member state parliaments.
We fully support the UPR ethos of encouraging the sharing of best practice globally to protect everyone's human rights. The UPR Project at BCU engages with the UPR regularly as a stakeholder, having submitted numerous reports and been cited by the OHCHR.