and reparation. However, despite these efforts, numerous obstacles remain that hinder efforts to achieve a significant and long-lasting impact in eliminating acts of sexual violence and their consequences. Persistent discrimination and gender stereotyping; incomplete and ill-suited laws; a lack of appropriate training for personnel in the medical, forensic, policing and judicial fields; gaps in investigation and prosecution, which are harmful first and foremost to victims; and budgetary and human resources that are too limited to effectively combat sexual violence and its consequences have contributed to weaken the efforts made. The Niamey Guidelines were designed as a tool to offer a methodology to African States, and to serve as the foundation for an adequate legal and institutional framework. They offer a set of practical, specific and concrete measures, and were developed pursuant to Article 45 (1) (b) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which gives the African Commission a mandate to create and draft the principles and regulations relating to human rights, which African governments may use as the basis for their domestic legislation. The Niamey Guidelines represent the continuation of these many initiatives taken within the African Union and by several of its Member States to combat sexual violence. The Niamey Guidelines are the result of a broad consultation process throughout 2016, which was declared «African year of Human Rights, with a particular focus on the Rights of Women»; a process involving experts fighting a daily battle against sexual violence. Doctors, journalists, lawyers, professors, and human rights defenders contributed their experience and expertise to ensure that the text reflects the reality of the needs and problems encountered both by victims and by the organisations and practitioners who answer their call for help. In fact, our intention was for the Guidelines to be focused on survivors, to help States respond to their concerns and meet their needs. If implemented, we hope this text will make it possible to confront the scourge of sexual violence on our continent. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the development of these Guidelines. In particular, I would like to thank the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR - South Africa) for their collaboration in the development of this tool. I would also like to thank the following eminent African dignitaries who have long fought against sexual violence in Africa, and who have made great contributions to drafting these Guidelines: Mrs. Bineta Diop, African Union Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security; Mrs. Mahawa Kaba Wheeler, African Union Commission Director for Women, Gender and Development; Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict; Mrs. Rashida Manjoo, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences; and Dr. Mukwege, world renowned gynecological surgeon and founder and director of the Panzi hospital in Bukavu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By forging partnerships, strengthening cooperation and uniting all our forces, we can create an effective defence against sexual violence and its consequences. The Niamey Guidelines have a role to play in that defence and should be used as a reference. I would like to encourage all actors, first and foremost the Member States of the African Union, but also regional economic communities, domestic human rights institutions, lawyers, magistrates and jurists, representatives of the medical and judicial field, security and defence forces, the media, civil society organisations, influential Africans and religious and traditional leaders, amongst others, to use this tool by broadcasting and popularizing it, and by supporting the implementation of its recommendations. As for the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, it remains resolutely committed to supporting all related initiatives. Honorable Lucy Asuagbor, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa GUIDELINES ON COMBATING SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES IN AFRICA 7