Draft model law for AU member states on Access to Information

The Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, Commissioner Faith Pansy Tlakula, has released the Draft Model Law for AU Member States on Access to Information in Africa that would positively affect African media, which is too often muzzled by restrictive media laws. During the 49th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Gambia, the Special Rapporteur hosted the first public consultation on the draft law. A series of further sub-regional public consultations will be held from June to August in Maputo, Dakar, Nairobi and Cairo.

Its adoption by member states would enhance accessibility of information, a catalyst for development and democracy. However, the current draft is silent on how access to information affects women and men differently. Women have less access to information, communication and technology (ICT) facilities compared to their male counterparts. This disadvantages women’s access to information as so much of today’s information is disseminated through ICTs. Further, low literacy levels deny women access to written information. In addition, women have a lower mobility rate compared to their male counterparts and many reside in rural areas where there are few libraries, schools and ICT facilities.

These factors call for the stakeholders involved in the consultations of this draft law to ensure that gender is mainstreamed throughout. The draft model will ultimately be adopted or used to review existing access to information laws by member states and therefore needs to include constructive ideas on gender and access to information. Click here to download the full draft model law and to make a submission on the draft law, click here. Written submissions must be received by 15 August 2011.

Download : AU Draft model law