WCC News: Women’s Human Rights Training in Senegal augments voices, builds insight

The 11th annual Women’s Human Rights Training took place in Dakar, Senegal from 19-23 October. Participants acquired new skills to conduct effective advocacy related to women’s human rights.    Participants of the Women Human Rights Advocacy Training in Senegal. Photo: Philippa Hitchen/LWF 02 November 2026   “I have gained experience and learned new approaches from other stakeholders working on human rights, including women’s rights,” said participant Marie Concessa Barubike of the United Methodist Church in Burundi. “I have developed a new vision that extends beyond local-level advocacy, aiming to engage religious denominations in the promotion of the rights of women and girls.” The training, which is organised annually by the World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, Finn Church Aid, and other partners, was this year co-organised by the All-Africa Conference of Churches and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Senegal.  Delphine Uwimana, also from the United Methodist Church in Burundi, expressed her gratitude. “Thank you for investing in my growth and helping me make a difference,” she said. “I will carry what I learned and use my voice to empower others.” Participants attended the 89th session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, following discussions between states and civil society actors on issues including the death penalty in Africa, concerns about the rights of migrants and statelessness, and the impact of conflict and the use of certain weapons on the environment.  Participant Elizabeth Fortich from Colombia said the training helped her understand how poverty, hunger, climate change, and environmental issues are connected to women’s rights, equality, and opportunities. “I have gained valuable insights into advocacy and lobbying strategies, as well as practical approaches to raising awareness and mobilizing communities to prevent and address gender-based violence,” she said. “This experience has strengthened my passion and commitment to promoting women’s human rights, inspiring me to apply these tools within my church and community, particularly in support of women experiencing socioeconomic vulnerability.” Participants had the opportunity to meet the special rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, Janet Romatoulie Sallah-Njie, who emphasized the critical role for religious leaders to address the backlash against human rights by some religious communities.   One anonymous participant from West Papua said the training helped her understand the UN human rights mechanisms. “It is especially great to learn from Biblical perspectives,” she said. Hannah Forster, director of the Africa Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies and spokesperson for the Forum of Non-Governmental Organizations at the commission met the participants and discussed the work of the commission and the role of the African Charter and the Maputo Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa. Participant Rev. Évangeline Kpon-Jesu Hounmenou, of the Protestant Methodist Church of Benin, who serves as a chaplain for women and is also a law student, said the training enabled her to better understand advocacy and master its various stages. “It has also inspired me to launch a support center for women who have experienced violence, where they can be welcomed, accompanied, and guided,” she said. “Furthermore, I intend to organize a training seminar for the leaders of women’s groups from various regions of Benin." Finland’s ambassador to Senegal, The Gambia, and Ivory Coast, H.E Katja Ahlfors joined the workshop, welcoming the initiative of the training and expressing her concern that women’s rights are under threat in many parts of the world. Participants engaged in a series of activities designed to give them an introduction to or deeper understanding about regional and international human rights structures for women’s rights, examine theologies, and share advocacy strategies with which to engage in the promotion of women’s rights. Several of the countries represented will be going through their Universal Periodic Review or reviews by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in the next couple of years, and participants were guided as to the necessary steps to be taken to engage in shadow reporting and engagement with these bodies. Learn more about the WCC's Just Community of Women and Men See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland