The baseline study presents findings on the current status of ratification, domestication, implementation, and reporting of global and regional instruments on women’s rights and gender equality in the four Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Additionally, the study provides insights into the capacities of RECs by identifying the factors that impact their abilities to advance gender equality and women's empowerment.

The study aims to inform the development of training materials designed to provide technical support for RECs, their Member States, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to monitor and fast-track the ratification, domestication, implementation, and reporting of the three gender equality treaties. The report provides crucial evidence for the regional project on Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Africa.