International health regulations

ABSTRACT Although International Women's Day is over a century old, its commemoration remains more necessary than ever. Beyond the recreational aspect that is usually attached to it, it is an excellent opportunity to draw attention to the injustices and glaring inequalities that continue to plague the lives of women throughout the world, but especially in Africa. This article gives us the opportunity to redefine International Women's Day and why we still need to talk about women’s rights.

RÉSUMÉ L’Afrique a besoin d’une commission d’enquête sur les raisons pour lesquelles la pandémie a frappé le continent tard et sur ce qui a entravé la riposte africaine. La commission devrait documenter rigoureusement la riposte à la COVID-19 et formuler des recommandations concernant la gestion des informations fausses et trompeuses. Elle devrait également synthétiser les meilleures pratiques et les leçons tirées afin de nourrir un débat sur les changements structurels requis dans l’après-COVID-19. Il est par ailleurs important que la commission soit tournée vers l’avenir, englobe toutes les parties prenantes et fournisse à l’Afrique un plan pour faire face à la prochaine pandémie. Il importe d’en faire une commission pour l’Afrique et par l’Afrique.

ABSTRACT Africa requires a commission of inquiry for fact-finding on why it took long for the pandemic to reach the continent, and how African response has been hampered. The commission should comprehensively document the response to COVID-19 and come up with recommendations for dealing with false narratives and misinformation. Also, it should synthesize best practices and lessons learned to guide a debate on structural changes required post-COVID-19. Importantly, the commission should be forward-looking, all-encompassing, and provide Africa a blueprint for responding to the next pandemic. This commission should be African-owned and African-led.