Rwanda has signed the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, becoming the ninth nation to back the continental treaty.

The convention was signed on Tuesday, July 28, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, during the 49th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Announcing the development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Rwanda backed the convention because it aligns with the country's vision and national gender policy.

"The convention provides a comprehensive continental legal framework to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against women and girls. Rwanda supports the convention as it aligns with Rwanda's vision and National Gender Policy," the ministry said.

The African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is the first legally binding AU treaty dedicated exclusively to addressing violence against women and girls across the continent.

It establishes common standards for member states to prevent violence, protect survivors, prosecute perpetrators and strengthen national systems for responding to gender-based violence.

Under the convention, signatory countries commit to adopting or strengthening legislation that criminalises all forms of violence against women and girls, including physical, sexual, psychological and economic abuse, whether committed in public or private settings.

The treaty also requires member states to improve survivors' access to justice and essential support services, including healthcare, psychosocial care, legal assistance and safe shelters, while enhancing investigations and prosecution of offenders.

In addition, the convention calls on governments to strengthen data collection and research to inform evidence-based policies, invest in public education and awareness campaigns, tackle harmful social and cultural practices that perpetuate violence, and allocate adequate resources to prevention and response programmes.

For Rwanda, the convention will enter into force after it is ratified through the country's national legal procedures.

Nduhungirehe signed the treaty while attending the 49th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in Addis Ababa, which brought together foreign ministers from AU member states to discuss key continental priorities and prepare decisions for consideration by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

The two-day session also focused on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems as part of the implementation of the African Union's Agenda 2063 development framework.