The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) proudly announces its formal endorsement of Dr. Satang Nabaneh for election to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) for the 2026–2031 term. As a premier institution dedicated to the promotion of human rights in Africa, ACDHRS recognizes Dr. Nabaneh as an exceptional Women Human Rights Defender (WHRD) and a long-standing partner whose work has been fundamental to the advancement of regional human rights norms and standards.
Dr. Nabaneh’s candidacy is defined by over 20 years of dedicated service to the advancement of the rights of women and girls, where she has been a vital technical partner in setting continental norms. Her collaboration with ACDHRS and other regional mechanisms has focused on strengthening state accountability and promoting rights-based education and approaches. She has consistently led high-level capacity-building initiatives and training for human rights defenders and policymakers. Her technical leadership was instrumental in the development of Joint General Comments on the African Children’s Charter and the Maputo Protocol, as well as her work as a Legal Advisor for the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa.
Possessing a formidable academic background, Dr. Nabaneh holds a PhD in Law from the University of Washington and a Doctor of Laws (LLD) from the University of Pretoria. She is a multiple-award winner whose global leadership has been recognized through the 2025 Women Have Wings Laureate and the 2023 Women in Law–Austria Justitia Award. Her scholarly work on girls’ education and the elimination of harmful practices is globally regarded and recognised, with insights featured in The New York Times, Time, and Reuters. Beyond her academic contributions, she serves on the Gender and Rights Advisory Panel (GAP) of the World Health Organization (WHO) and contributes to the Women, Peace and Security agenda through the AU’s Network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation (FemWise-Africa).
ACDHRS believes that Dr. Satang Nabaneh’s election to the ACERWC will ensure a principled and technically expert voice for the protection of children’s rights in Africa. We call upon all African Union Member States to support her candidacy at the February 2026 Executive Council session.
