Leaders and delegates from across the Horn of Africa have today, Thursday discussed ways of strengthening regional human rights systems to ensure justice and accountability for women and girls.
This was during the Regional Gender Forum held at Kampala Serena Hotel today,
The event, organised by FIDA Uganda in partnership with the SIHA Network, brought together justices, legal practitioners, government representatives and civil society leaders, all united by a shared commitment to advancing women’s rights.
The forum also highlighted the importance of collaboration across borders in tackling gender-based violations.
Lilian Adriko, the Chief Executive Officer of FIDA-Uganda, welcomed participants by reminding them that the day’s theme was deeply rooted in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
She said the Charter recognises not only the rights of individuals but also those of communities.
"This dual framing underscores that justice in Africa is both individual and collective, protecting the dignity of each woman and girl while also recognising the shared struggles of communities facing conflict, displacement, patriarchy, and poverty," Ms Adriko said.
She stressed that women’s rights could not be achieved in isolation from society’s well-being and called for accountability to extend to regional and continental levels.
In her keynote address, Lady Justice Susan Okalany drew attention to the widespread sexual violence affecting women and girls in the Horn of Africa.
She warned that many of these acts amount to war crimes, yet the absence of fully functioning justice systems in countries such as South Sudan has allowed perpetrators to go unpunished.
“This conversation is vital,” she said, “because it allows us to examine how states can and must be held liable for atrocities committed within their jurisdictions.”
Lady Justice Okalany insisted that justice beyond borders must ensure no safe haven exists for perpetrators of sexual violence.
She urged African states to close the ratification gap, adopt survivor-centred approaches, use universal jurisdiction to pursue offenders, and ensure enforcement of women’s rights.
Hala Al-Karib, the regional director of SIHA Network, spoke passionately about the importance of Pan-African solidarity.
She stressed that lasting progress could only be achieved through unity and collaboration, not by individual organisations working alone.
She acknowledged that SIHA Network had been unable to carry out its mission in isolation and had relied on strong partnerships, particularly with FIDA-Uganda.
“It is through working together that we achieve the greatest impact,” she noted.
Reflecting on SIHA’s journey, Ms Al-Karib said the organisation had learnt much but still had more to discover as it continued to respond to new and emerging challenges.
The forum served as a reminder that the fight for women’s rights in Africa requires collective effort, regional accountability, and a commitment to justice that transcends borders.