Compiled by: Brenda Kugonza, Executive Director, WHRDN-U
Date: March 25, 2025
Introduction
The Women Human Rights Defenders Network-Uganda (WHRDN-U) actively participated in the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) held in New York, USA, in March 2025. Our engagement at CSW69 provided a strategic platform to highlight the threats, challenges, and resilience of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in Uganda and across Africa.
Key Highlights of WHRDN-U Participation
1. Panel Discussion on Registering and Monitoring Attacks against WHRDs in Africa
WHRDN-U took part in a high-level panel discussion during a side event organized by UAF-Africa https://x.com/whrdnu/status/1899545949350859128?s=46. The session focused on the critical task of registering and documenting attacks against WHRDs in Africa. Discussions covered:
- The democracy crisis in Uganda, its historical and structural causes.
- WHRDN-U’s Assessment Report: Challenges WHRDs face due to escalating repression, gender-based discrimination, and shrinking civic space.
- Strategies of resilience, including legal advocacy, mental health support, and alliance-building.
- A call for donor support to prevent further harm and amplify activist-led initiatives for sustainable change.
During this panel, WHRDN-U presented the newly published Assessment Report on Violence Against Women Human Rights Defenders in Uganda https://www.whrdnuganda.org/assessment-report-on-violence-against-women-human-rights-defenders-in-uganda/., disseminating key findings to donors, policymakers, and leaders of women’s rights organizations. Policy briefs summarizing key insights from the report were shared to enhance awareness and advocacy.
We fostered high level of recognition and awareness about the important work of WHRDs, the threats and challenges faced by WHRDs. For instance we share policy briefs titled ‘Violence Against WHRDs: Seeking Protection’
2. Targeted Meetings with Strategic Partners and Allies
WHRDN-U held targeted meetings where the Executive Director, Brenda Kugonza scheduled side meetings and one-on-one meetings with strategic partners and allies. During these engagements, she disseminated assessment reports and policy briefs, ensuring that WHRD issues remained at the forefront of discussions.
3. Engagements with the Consortium for East African WHRD Protection Networks
WHRDN-U joined forces with regional partners:
- Hilda (Tanzania Coalition for WHRDs)
- Salome (Kenyan WHRD Hub)
- Brenda Kugonza (WHRDN-Uganda)
Together, we reinforced collective efforts to advocate for WHRD protection in East Africa. This collaboration strengthened the regional advocacy agenda and created opportunities for cross-border solidarity.
3. Participation in FIDA Uganda Side Event
WHRDN-U was invited to a side event hosted by FIDA Uganda at CSW69. This engagement allowed interaction with key policymakers, including Hon. Betty Amongi, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), Uganda. Discussions assessed the effectiveness of poverty alleviation initiatives such as the GROW and Parish Development Model (PDM) and their impact on women’s empowerment.
4. WHRD International Coalition Anniversary Event
WHRDN-U also participated in the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition Anniversary to demonstrate solidarity in challenging times. This event reinforced global networks supporting WHRDs and provided a space to share experiences and strategies for collective action.
Key lessons learnt
- Side events hosted by like-minded partners highlighted key findings, recommendations and generated commitments.
- Targeted briefing meetings provided tailored insights from the report
- The use of policy briefs as fact sheets summarized key findings that guided discussions and ensure accessibility
- Printing and distributing physical copies of the policy briefs to key stakeholders attending CSW sessions and parallel events
Way forward and recommendation
CSW provides a rare opportunity to engage policymakers and duty bearers who may otherwise be difficult to access due to political sensitivities back home.
Leveraging CSW for Strategic Policy Engagement & Advocacy
1. Direct Access to Policymakers & Duty Bearers
• CSW provides a neutral and international space where policymakers feel more open to engaging with WHRDs without fear of local political repercussions.
• We should prioritize closed-door engagements where policymakers can candidly discuss social justice issues and explore collaborative strategies.
• Organize policy dialogue sessions where we present the report and discuss actionable recommendations tailored to their interests.
2. Strategic Use of Allies to Push Difficult Conversations
• In situations where direct engagement with policymakers is challenging, we will mobilize allies and friendly international partners to raise tough questions on our behalf.
• Coordinate with development partners and feminist allies to ensure that WHRDs’ issues remain on the agenda in high-level sessions, even when we are not physically in the room.
• Identify key moments in CSW events where duty bearers are speaking and prepare strategic interventions that highlight WHRD challenges.
3. Development Partners Should Invest in This Advocacy Approach
• Given the unique opportunity that CSW presents, donors and partners should recognize the value of this space in advancing policy influence and commit resources to support advocacy efforts at such international platforms.
• Encourage funders to allocate funding for sustained follow-up engagement after CSW to ensure that commitments made in New York translate into action at home.
4. Maximizing CSW as a Platform for Policy Influence
• CSW should not just be an event for participation but a deliberate advocacy space to advance WHRDs’ protection and policy demands.
• Track policymakers’ responses and commitments during CSW engagements and use this data to hold them accountable post-CSW.
Conclusion
WHRDN-U’s participation in CSW69 was a significant opportunity to elevate the visibility of WHRDs, highlight pressing challenges, and advance advocacy efforts on a global stage. By fostering collaborations, disseminating critical findings, and engaging policymakers, WHRDN-U strengthened its position as a key actor in the protection of WHRDs. Moving forward, we will continue leveraging international spaces like CSW to amplify our advocacy and push for meaningful policy reforms.