From March 24th to 29th, 2025, Sonke Gender Justice and MenEngage Africa, under the SRHR4All project, successfully hosted the Reproductive Justice: Capacity Enhancement Programme to advance sexual and reproductive health rights and gender equality gender equality from an Afrocentric lens in Kampala, Uganda. This transformative five-day training programme was designed to empower young advocates with the essential knowledge, skills, and strategies to advance human rights, and SRHR through a reproductive justice reproductive justice framework rooted in Afrocentric principles. The training brought together SRHR4All partners from Malawi, Ethiopia and Uganda.
“The journey towards true reproductive justice in Africa necessitates a profound understanding of our unique historical, cultural, and legal landscapes. This is the very foundation upon which the transformative five-day training programme, reproductive justice from an Afrocentric perspective, is built,” says Sonke’s SRHR Specialist, Jude Thaddius Njikem.
Throughout the training, participants explored legal and cultural systems that influence reproductive justice in Africa. They gained the tools to think critically about laws and policies and to actively shape them. The workshop focused on key concepts, landmark theories, and proven legal strategies that respond directly to the realities African countries face today.
Justice complex, it’s not only found in courtrooms. That’s why participants were trained in both formal and informal approaches to creating change. They learnt how to use strategic litigation to promote gender equality, prevent gender-based violence, and challenge laws and policies that hold communities back. This training also looked at how to ensure legal wins lead to real change in people’s lives.
“The significant shift is recognising that reproductive justice is a human rights issue, one that demands a holistic, intersectional approach that considers the social, economic, and cultural realities shaping people’s lives. I plan to actively engage African communities, not just as beneficiaries, but as co-creators of solutions to reproductive health and gender equality challenges”, said Masika Christine, Project assistant, United for Children’s Inter-Development Action Uganda (UNCIDA) Uganda.
The workshop created space to explore new and culturally grounded ways of advocating reproductive justice. It emphasised the many forces that shape gender roles and relationships—like traditions, laws, government, civil society, the media, and families. True change means understanding how all these elements are connected. It also means addressing the bigger economic, political, and social pressures that impact people every day.
Participants were introduced to a holistic approach to tackling gender-based violence and SRHR, one that centers African perspectives. A key part of this work is engaging men as active allies and partners, not just as observers in building a more just and equal society.
Importantly, the training also empowered communities to hold leaders accountable. “When we talk about accountability, we must begin by asking: who holds power, and who is most impacted by their decisions? True justice starts with empowering communities, youth, religious leaders, community leaders, and others with the knowledge of their rights and the tools to act. By educating and equipping them, we create the foundation for communities to hold duty-bearers accountable and drive meaningful, lasting change.”, concludes, Biruktawit Taye, Program Manager at Tamra for Social Development Organization.
By the end of the five-day programme, participants had the skills to build strong networks, lead bold advocacy campaigns, and champion reproductive justice that uplifts gender equality, SRHR, and human rights across Africa.
