African women's rights advocates are warning that appeals to "family values" are being used to roll back hard-won gender equality protections ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

• Growing anti-rights movements are exploiting language of "family protection," "cultural integrity," and "sovereignty" to delay reforms impacting women's rights.
• Advocates highlight concerns about the potential impact on gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, and human rights accountability.
• Discussions also focused on the need for thorough review of the African Union Convention on Eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls (AU CEVAWG) before widespread ratification.