University of Pretoria law expert makes history at UN women’s rights committee

University of Pretoria (UP) law alumna Dr Brenda Akia has become the youngest African and first Ugandan to be elected as the Vice-Chair and Rapporteur of the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). 

With a rich academic background in law, Akia has specialised in a diverse range of legal fields, including international criminal law, international human rights law, transitional justice, migration and refugee law, international environmental law and transnational organised crime. 

"The CEDAW Committee monitors how 189 state parties to the UN CEDAW Convention implement the convention to promote the rights of women and girls, achieve gender equality, and eliminate all forms of discrimination," explains Akia, who also chairs the African Group on the CEDAW Committee. 

Her academic qualifications include a Legum Doctor (LLD) from UP; a Master of Laws, jointly conferred by the Humboldt University of Berlin and the University of the Western Cape; a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Kampala's Makerere University; and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre in Kampala. 

"Among my various roles, which includes being listed as an assistant to counsel at the International Criminal Court in The Hague, I realised that one way for me to effectively bring positive change to the daily lives of people, especially women and girls; promote accountability for gross human rights violations; and end impunity for international crimes was to pursue an LLD," Akia says. 

She pursued her studies at UP because of the institution's distinguished Faculty of Law, where renowned international law scholars Professors Dire Tladi and Martha Bradley are based, and the university's reputation as a global leader in social justice and research excellence. UP has also given her the opportunity to engage with scholars who have influenced her approach to international human rights jurisprudence, particularly regarding the rights of women and girls, and encouraged her to contribute to this evolving legal landscape. 

"UP provided me with both academic and personal intellectual fulfilment," Dr Akia says. "Under the supervision of Professors Tladi and Bradley, my confidence grew to engage in shaping international law jurisprudence globally, particularly in the fields of climate change and international environmental law. They also supported me throughout my CEDAW campaign, which was endorsed by Uganda and the African Union. I was elected by state parties with 139 votes and secured second place out of 23 candidates." 

Akia has received several accolades in recognition of her contribution to advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls, including the Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Ugandan president and the Trailblazer Award from the Uganda Law Society. 

Effecting change through CEDAW 

Akia uses her knowledge of international law and research abilities to analyse state party reports and undertake constructive dialogues with state parties. This work seeks to implement the CEDAW Convention to strengthen legal protections for women and girls against human rights violations during peace, conflict and humanitarian situations, among other things. 

"For state parties that have ratified the CEDAW Optional Protocol, I use my legal knowledge, analysis and research expertise to examine communication submitted by women and girls of violations of rights protected under the CEDAW Convention, and to conduct field visits where there may be grave or systematic violations of women and girls' rights." 

Akia credits UP for instilling in her the values of action, collaboration, excellence and diversity. For her, the diversity of her academic environment at UP and on the CEDAW Committee has sharpened her cultural awareness and enriched her ability to work collaboratively towards meaningful change for women and girls. 

"To ensure sustainable impact, I frequently take up guest lecturing roles at universities to educate the younger generation about the significance of the CEDAW Committee and the broader international legal framework," she says. 

Personal journey 

Dr Akia acknowledges personal challenges she has encountered, particularly during her LLD studies, where self-doubt occasionally crept in. "I doubted myself when Prof Tladi agreed to be my supervisor," she recalls. "Initially, I questioned whether I could meet his level of excellence. Thankfully, those doubts faded once I began my research, and under the guidance of Professors Tladi and Bradley, my journey became truly transformative and worthwhile." 

One of Akia's proudest moments was her LLD graduation, with her eight-year-old son, Emmanuel, cheering her on from the front row. Looking ahead, she's determined to continue using her expertise to promote accountability for human rights violations, eliminate impunity for international crimes and advance gender equality. She continues to challenge herself by engaging with mentors who inspire her both intellectually and personally, keeping her grounded in the importance of furthering global progress. When she does take time off, her kids take centre stage. 

"My favourite thing to do is to spend time with my kids, Emmanuel and Asante," Akia says. "I hope that we can travel more and see the world together. To recharge, I love spending time alone and reading anything from peer-reviewed articles to research papers and biographies." 

Her message to others is simple: "If you believe you can achieve something, create a plan and go for it. Success or failure is secondary; what matters is persistence. Never give up. To succeed, you must seek mentorship and strive for justice and fairness." 

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