PAP President Chief Charumbira Joins African Royals in Lagos to Lead Continental Fight Against GBV

LAGOS, Nigeria – In a powerful display of continental unity, the President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Senator Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, spearheaded a high-level Summit of African traditional and Cultural Leaders in Lagos this week. The conference, focused on the prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), marks a historic alignment between modern legislative authority and the deep-rooted influence of Africa’s traditional institutions.

Chief Charumbira’s participation follows a prestigious invitation from the Ford Foundation and UN Women, extended in late 2025. The global bodies recognized his unique dual mandate: as a paramount traditional leader in Zimbabwe and the head of Africa’s premier legislative assembly. His presence underscores the belief that ending violence against women requires a “whole-of-society” approach that respects cultural heritage while demanding social justice.

During the summit, which concluded this week at the Radisson Blu in Ikeja, Chief Charumbira was tasked with leading the co-creation of a Regional Declaration and Communiqué. This document serves as a collective oath by Africa’s monarchs and chiefs to use their moral authority to dismantle harmful social norms. Furthermore, the PAP President is contributing to a Sustainability Roadmap, designed to integrate these cultural commitments into the broader African Union (AU) framework, ensuring the fight against GBV outlives temporary campaigns.

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The Lagos convening arrives at a critical time as the continent pushes for the ratification of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls. Experts at the forum noted that when traditional leaders speak, communities listen. Chief Charumbira’s proactive stance signals a new era of “Positive Masculinity” across the continent.

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