Rome Declaration on World Food Security (1996). World Food Summit .
http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/w3613e/w3613e00.htm .
This agreement lists the commitments made by the signing States to increase food security in their respective countries and worldwide. It specifically lists commitments in regard to land rights and equitable gender relations.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1981)
The Beijing Platform for Action (1995). Declaration from the 4 th World Conference on Women.
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/beijingdeclaration.html
This document is the declaration prepared by those countries participating in the fourth world conference on women. It represents a major international milestone in the recognition and commitment to women's rights, including rights to property and natural resources.
"African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights" (1986).
English: http://www.achpr.org/english/_info/charter_en.html . French: http://www.achpr.org/francais/_info/charter_fr.html
This document came into effect in 1986 and represents African countries' commitment to individual and collective rights. It was created through the then Organisation of African Unity (since, changed to African Union) and is now overseen by the African Commission on Human and People's Rights. It explicitly commits to non-discrimination of women, while acknowledging the right of local communities to follow customary rules and norms.
"Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa " (2005).
English: http://www.achpr.org/english/_info/women_en.html French: http://www.achpr.org/francais/_info/women_fr.html
This addition to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights provides explicit protection against discrimination for women. In regard to property, it stipulates that women have to right to inherit equitable shares from their parents and from their husband as well as the right to buy and manage their own land. The protocol entered into force in November 2005 when it was ratified by 15 African countries.
