Sonke Gender Justice participated at the 2nd annual Uganda National Conference on Health, Human Rights and Development from the 3rd to the 5th of September 2025 in Kampala, under the theme “Right to Health: A vital component of achieving SDGs”. The conference was a landmark event that brought together policymakers, practitioners, and advocates to advance the right to health through dialogue on social determinants and cross-sector collaboration.
Representing Sonke at the conference, Regional Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator Lizhan Brown presented on social auditing in South Africa under the Generation Gender programme, which is implemented in seven countries. Sonke oversees the programme’s implementation in both South Africa and Uganda, illustrating how this participatory approach helps uncover critical gaps in gender-based violence response systems. Brown’s presentation highlighted how community-driven accountability can strengthen public health systems, promote transparency, and ensure that survivors’ rights remain at the centre of GBV prevention and response efforts.
“It was an invaluable platform to share lessons from our work, exchange insights with peers, and collectively push for a more equitable and just approach to health and development,” said Brown.
The conversations were repeatedly centered on gender equity, disability inclusion, and the urgent need to address the disparities between rural and urban communities. There was a palpable consensus that the ministries of agriculture, education, water, and justice must be core partners in the mission for Universal Health Coverage.
During the three-day event, there was a powerful, recurring call for multi-sectoral collaboration, recognising that ministries beyond health, alongside civil society and traditional leaders, are essential partners. This was complemented by a strong drive to harness innovation and data to ensure accountability and reach underserved communities.
A key success was how this framing created space for rich, cross-disciplinary dialogue. Sessions on social auditing and engaging men in gender equality, for instance, were well received and generated meaningful conversation. The conference reaffirmed the interconnectedness of health, human rights, and gender justice and the importance of partnerships in achieving lasting impact.
