The West Nile SRHR Symposium 2025 was held on March 3–4, 2025 at Desert Breeze Hotel in Arua City, bringing together organizations, activists, and community leaders to advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the region. WORUDET actively participated, contributing to discussions on gender, climate change, and community empowerment.
Key Highlights of the Symposium
The symposium was organized under the theme “Linking SRHR and Climate Change in West Nile” by Feminature Uganda, in partnership with Kabarole Research Centre, Cescra, and other civil society organizations. Conversations centered on advocating for gender‑responsive SRHR policies at both local and national levels, addressing climate‑related barriers such as disrupted healthcare infrastructure, limited family planning access, and increased risks of gender‑based violence, while also promoting community dialogue to strengthen resilience and ensure inclusive participation in decision‑making.
WORUDET’s Participation
WORUDET joined other stakeholders to share experiences from refugee settlements and host communities, highlighting how paralegal interventions and community dialogues are helping women and youth access SRHR services. The organization emphasized the importance of integrating human rights education into SRHR programming to empower vulnerable groups, especially women and girls, and contributed to discussions on climate‑smart approaches that link environmental challenges with reproductive health needs.
Outcomes and Impact
The symposium recognized more than twenty paralegals and community leaders for their role in documenting human rights violations and supporting access to justice. It strengthened regional collaboration by creating a platform for organizations like WORUDET to align efforts with national SRHR strategies. Participants committed to sustained advocacy for policies that protect women, youth, and marginalized groups in the face of climate change.
Conclusion
The West Nile SRHR Symposium 2025 marked a milestone in advancing reproductive health and rights in Uganda’s northern region. WORUDET’s presence underscored its commitment to community empowerment, justice, and gender equality, ensuring that SRHR is upheld not only as a health issue but also as a matter of dignity, resilience, and human rights.
