Claiming Space, Building Futures: Reflections from the We Lead Regional Advocacy Workshop
The We Lead program, implemented by FEMNET in partnership with five consortium members and a technical partner, is designed to strengthen the influence of rightsholder-led organizations across nine countries—Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Mozambique, Guatemala, Honduras, Lebanon, and Jordan. The program aims to ensure that rightsholders—including young women, adolescents living with HIV, young LBTIQ persons, and young people with disabilities—are actively included in shaping gender-responsive laws, policies, and social norms. We Lead supports these groups to claim space in SRHR and human rights advocacy, and to design and drive their own advocacy agendas at local, national, and regional levels.
The We Lead Regional Advocacy Workshop brought together government representatives, rightsholders, Community of Actions (COAs), Community of Action Facilitators (COAFs), journalists, male allies, and consortium partners from Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Niger, and Mozambique. Held at a critical moment as the project nears its close, the workshop created a powerful space for reflection, learning, and visioning forward. It served as a celebration of milestones, a consolidation of hard-won lessons, and a strategic gathering to co-create a sustainable future for SRHR advocacy led by and for rightsholders.
The atmosphere was charged with purpose as participants shared their journeys throughout the We Lead implementation—from grassroots organizing to national policy influence, and regional coordination. These diverse narratives highlighted FEMNET’s pivotal role in strengthening capacity, providing strategic technical support, and facilitating collective advocacy rooted in feminist values and rightsholder leadership.
“Thanks to We Lead and FEMNET, we no longer feel invisible. We’ve taken our place in decision-making spaces, not as guests, but as contributors,” shared one young advocate.
Across all five countries, participants shared stories of increased youth-led engagement in policy dialogues, community mobilization, and accountability processes. One notable example came from a government official who shared the story of the successful adoption of the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Bill—a legislative journey shaped and sustained through continuous engagement by We Lead partners and rightsholder organizations. This victory stood as a testament to the power of strategic, collaborative advocacy between civil society and progressive government allies.
A key technical session on Power Mapping reflected the We Lead commitment to power-conscious, rightsholder-driven advocacy. Participants used tools like the influence-interest matrix to analyze the SRHR landscape in their respective countries. They examined the roles of not only high-level policymakers and government ministries but also traditional leaders, religious institutions, and local influencers whose decisions affect access to SRHR services. This session allowed participants to identify structural barriers—such as ableism, patriarchy, and stigma—and develop more targeted, intersectional strategies to engage allies and shift power.
Another engaging session focused on Media Advocacy, reinforcing the We Lead and FEMNET belief that changing the narrative is itself a political act. Participants shared how they’ve harnessed storytelling, podcasts, radio broadcasts, and visual campaigns not only to amplify rightsholder experiences but also to challenge taboos, misinformation, and repressive norms. These media efforts have helped to reframe public discourse—from awareness-raising to agenda-setting—and have made space for lived experience to shape policy narratives.
Male allies present reflected on their personal transformations within the movement—not as saviors, but as co-strugglers committed to confronting toxic masculinities and advancing gender justice. Their testimonies added powerful dimensions to the conversation on inclusive movement-building, reminding the group that allyship must be active, accountable, and grounded in the leadership of those most impacted.
The workshop also included forward-looking strategic sessions focused on sustainability. Participants emphasized the need to embed advocacy efforts into systems, not just projects. Discussions explored institutionalizing feminist advocacy networks, integrating SRHR into local development planning, and pursuing diverse, long-term funding models that recognize and resource grassroots leadership. Youth-led groups expressed readiness and resolve to lead the next chapter—calling on partners to move beyond symbolic support toward sustained, feminist solidarity.
“This is not the end, it’s a transition. We are taking all we’ve learned and using it to build stronger, more resilient movements,” affirmed one participant.
As the workshop concluded, it was clear that the end of the We Lead program does not mark the end of advocacy but rather a renewed beginning. The work continues, grounded in lived realities, strengthened by collective vision, and driven by an unwavering commitment to SRHR justice for all.
