Each country in the Eastern African Sub-region is guided by several instruments most of which are structured from Regional and International Instruments like MDG, BPFA and CEDAW.

EASSI was founded in 1996 after the 4th World Conference on Women held in Beijing. The Dakar Conference of 1994 also shaped EASSI;s foundation. Todate, EASSI is guided by several regional instruments. Amongst them is African Union - Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa,which is largely managed by SOAWR. This Protocol was adopted in Mozambique in 2003.

There are several International Instruments that have played pivotal roles in restructuring and refocusing many Civil society organisations in Africa. Amongst them are BPFA, CEDAW, MDG, amongst others.

Firstly, is The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is an international convention adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. Described as an international bill of rights for women, it came into force on 3 September 1981. The United States is the only developed nation that has not ratified the CEDAW. For more, follow this link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CEDAW

Secondly, is Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA)

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, Beijing, 15 September 1995.