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SIHA Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa
GHoA Greater Horn of Africa
VAWG Violence Against Women and Girls
WRAs/Os Women’s Rights Advocates / Organizations
CSW Commission on the Status of Women
ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
GBV Gender-Based Violence
WHRDs Women Human Rights Defenders
SGBV Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
TOT Training of Trainers
OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
IDPs Internally Displaced Persons
ILO International Labour Organization
CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
FIDA Federation of Women Lawyers (specifically, FIDA-Uganda)
WROs Women’s Rights Organizations
EWDNA Ethiopian Women with Disabilities National Association
CSCOV Center for Strengthening Community Voices
NWERO National Women Empowerment Rehabilitation Organization
SOWRAG Somaliland Women’s Research and Action Group
VOSOMWO Voice of Somaliland Minority Women’s Organization
LHR Lawyers for Human Rights
GEN Gender Equality Network
ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
SWDC Safe Women Development Centre
SSWC Safe Somali Women and Children
DRC Danish Refugee Council
EU European Union
UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
EWER Early Warning Early Response
CRGBV Conflict-Related Gender-Based Violence
FPL Feminist Peace Lab
A MESSAGE FROM THE SIHA MANAGEMENT TEAM
It is great pleasure that I present the 2023 Annual Report on behalf of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network.
During this reporting period, our region endured yet another wave of socio-political unrest and humanitarian crises with conflicts that tested the limits of our endurance and resilience. For instance, in Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia, ongoing instability not only disrupted lives but deeply impacted the women and girls whose rights and safety remain at the heart of our mission.
Yet, despite these immense challenges, our commitment to feminist transformation in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA) has never been stronger. Through the dedication of our staff, the courage of our grassroots partners, and the steadfast support of our development allies, we sustained vital programs that sought to dismantle patriarchal structures, amplify marginalized voices, and build inclusive, intersectional women’s movements.
Our work spanned six countries and touched the lives of more than 30,000 women and girls. From advocating for gender-responsive legal frameworks to providing emergency protection services in conflict zones, from supporting displaced and migrant girls with vocational skills to strengthening women’s leadership in political spaces, our impact has been both broad and profound. Notably, we celebrated major milestones such as South Sudan’s ratification of the Maputo Protocol, a victory forged through years of relentless advocacy led by national and regional women’s coalitions.
Throughout the year, we remained grounded in the lived realities of women and girls, particularly those in the most marginalized communities - urban poor women, informal sector workers, refugees, and internally displaced persons. We built and nurtured safe spaces for healing and organizing, facilitated strategic litigation on conflict-related gender-based violence, and championed women’s inclusion in peace processes and governance structures.
We also took bold steps to innovate and adapt. For example, with the ongoing erosion of civic space and security threats in many of our operating environments, we prioritized agile, community-led responses. Initiatives such as the establishment of an Early Warning Early Response (EWER) system empowered grassroots actors to monitor and respond to violence. Our support for over 200 women-led organizations reaffirmed our belief that sustainable change must be locally driven and collectively owned.
As we look ahead, SIHA is entering a new phase of institutional strengthening. We are investing in systems that will improve efficiency, transparency, and learning. These include enhanced HR and finance structures, a renewed emphasis on intersectional research and knowledge production, and a strategic vision to deepen our partnerships and amplify regional solidarity.
To our members, partners, and communities - we thank you. Your courage, commitment, and collaboration have made this year’s achievements possible. To the women and girls across the Horn of Africa, who continue to resist, to speak, and to lead - you are the heart of this movement and our work. This report is both a testament to your strength and a call to continue the fight for a just, inclusive, and feminist future.
In solidarity,
Hala Alkarib Regional Director SIHA Network
Who We Are
The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network is an indigenous African women’s rights network dedicated to women’s rights, founded by female activists from Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Sudan. SIHA was established in 1995 by a coalition of women activists aiming to enhance the capabilities of women’s rights organizations addressing issues of women’s subordination and investigating violence against women and girls (VAWG). SIHA has evolved into a respected feminist network with over 200 members throughout the Greater Horn of Africa. Currently, SIHA occupies a distinctive role as a regional civil society network operating in politically unstable environments.
Our Vision
SIHA envisions women and girls in the GHoA living in a peaceful, just environment where they can exercise their equal rights as human beings.
Our Mission
SIHA aims to contribute to unlocking the massive potential of the women’s rights movement in the GHoA. This will be accomplished by strengthening the education of civil society organizations so that they can build a strong collective that advocates systemic change. In this way, SIHA works through and in support of broad coalitions of grassroots members to campaign and advocate women’s rights and equality.
Strategic Areas
Our work focuses on the following strategic areas:
ّ Women and Girls Access to Rights and Justice
ّ Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
ّ Women’s Social Protection and Economic Justice
ّ Rights of Women and Girls on the move
ّ Building Inclusive Women’s Movements
Countries of Operation
SIHA is presently active across 8 countries namely, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somaliland and Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.
Our Vision for Change
As a regional feminist network, SIHA works to shift policies and laws in the GHoA to promote equality, peace, social justice, and human rights through movement-building, knowledge production, and advocacy. Through its members, women’s rights activists, and leaders across the GHoA, SIHA recognizes that movement-building strengthens the collective power of women and girls, enabling them to unite in dismantling patriarchy and advancing gender justice.
It also draws from the strength of women’s diversity, unlocking their potential and providing a platform for them to voice their struggles for equality, justice, and peace.
This theory of change is guided by intersectional and feminist lenses.
ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR REPORT
The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network has been working in the Horn of Africa region since 1995, supporting programming in Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Somalia. There has been significant expansion and growth of the organization with substantive increase in the number of personnel.
The Human Resource (HR) organizational behaviour report offers a detailed account regarding the behaviour practices and how HR policies provided are administered and monitored, developments and changes by the SIHA Network Human Resources and Administration Department.
The report gives an overview of how the human resource management functions have aligned and fitted into the overall strategic plan of the organization for the period from January 2023 to December 2023.
Having a precise overview of these areas provides both SIHA, its staff and its stakeholders a better understanding of how the organisation is developing in areas that contribute to staff engagement and development to help SIHA achieve its strategic goals and further its growth.
SIHA Countries of Operation and Organizational Structure
1.1 Areas of operation
SIHA has offices actively operating in the following countries
■ Uganda: SIHA has the Regional Secretariat based in Kampala and a field office in Arua
■ South Sudan: SIHA has offices in Juba and Wau
■ Somaliland: SIHA has office presence in Hargeisa
■ Ethiopia: SIHA has office presence in Addis Ababa
■ Somalia: SIHA has office presence in Mogadishu
■ Sudan: SIHA has office in Kassala in Eastern Sudan
Country Operations
Regional Secretariat
1.1 Structure of the HR Department
The HR department has two personnel supporting the Regional Office and country operations for all human resource management functions; that is:
■ Regional Human Resource Officer at the Secretariat in Kampala, Uganda and
■ Sudan Human Resource Officer both under the direct supervision of the Regional Head of Finance and Administration
Below is the representation of the HR, Finance and Administration Unit and how the two positions fit in:
Organizational Structure: Finance, Human Resource and Administration Department
1.2 Organizational Structure
The unique and fast evolving nature of SIHA has allowed for a dynamic and fluid structure that collaborates optimally to deliver its mandate and commitments. There is pronounced efficiency, flexibility, more responsiveness to changes, and empowerment of staff to take part in initiatives and decision making.
Figure 1:SIHA Staff Distribution across countries of operation
SIHA Organizational Chart
2. SIHA HR Manual and Policies
The HR department creates awareness on the SIHA HR manual and policies during staff inductions and periodic refresher trainings conducted within the year.
SIHA is committed to ensuring that its recruitment, compensation and benefits, training and development, performance management, grievance and reporting mechanisms, HR compliance are bound by the existing country labour laws where SIHA operate that feed into the HR Manual and policies. This is continuous work in progress to always harmonize the SIHA HR policies whenever country labour laws change.
3. Organization HR Behavior
3.1 The Sudan Conflict and impact on HR functions
The conflict in Sudan impacted SIHA operations especially HR functions posing challenges and opportunities.
There were operational disruptions such is breaks in communication, coordination and access to project sites affecting project implementation timelines. Despite all this, staff exhibited exceptional resilience and commitment to the cause working in high risk and conflict zones. SIHA in return had to ensure staff safety is considered by evacuating staff to work remotely, lookout for staff wellbeing, retention and morale in such environments whilst remaining compliant to humanitarian standards, labour laws and donor requirements.
3.2 Employee Turnover
In September 2023 there was a spike in involuntary turnover (20.5%) due to contract terminations, operational restructuring within the Sudan SIHA office because of the conflict and employment dynamics involved. The rate of voluntary turnover (14.2%) was healthy with staff transitioning from SIHA due to career progression.
4. Recruitments and HR Expansion
Opened and/or filled positions for the period
SIHA has continued to expand its human resources with acquisition of more projects across the country operations. Over 17 positions have been filled including newly created and vacant existing ones.
4.1 Internship Programme
SIHA offers an opportunity to final year students and graduates an opportunity to have hands on experience in a professional work setting. Interns have been sourced through agreements with universities and others through a fully-fledged recruitment process.
The SIHA internship policy ensures that interns can have an opportunity to gain direct exposure and practical experience in program development and implementation in a regional organization working on gender, conflict, and development issues. The program aims to complement academic studies with hands-on experience in various aspects of SIHA’s work. The relationship between SIHA and its interns is fundamental to our commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders and professionals who are passionate about making a significant impact in advancing peace, justice, and gender equality globally.
4.2 Capacity Building and Professional Development
As a Pan African feminist organisation, SIHA believes in human resource development for its staff and members to ensure strengthening and growth of knowledge, skills and abilities that employees already have for high-quality task completion. SIHA has gone digital with integration of systems where programme, finance and HR functions are online. For instance, tracking documents, initiating requests and approvals are centralized in one portal.
SIHA Network staff and members during a regional training on financial management and reporting
Through the continuous review of staff performance, training needs for staff are identified and attended to. Staff also have an allowance to take on short term online courses relevant to their field of work. Staff that have been with SIHA for 36 months or more have an opportunity for 50% tuition sponsorship when they apply to a course at a university.
To ensure that staff stay afloat of SIHA’s commitment to upholding core humanitarian principles, mandatory trainings on SIHA policies are conducted periodically throughout the year. For instance, in September 2023, a training on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse was conducted. Other trainings conducted include:
■ Staff Training on Procurement Policies and Rules
■ SIHA Financial Reporting, Budget Request and Accountability
■ Project Management training and
■ Digital safety and security training
The HR departments prospects to advocate for study leave entitlement, encouraging colleagues in the various departments to subscribe to various professional bodies for example, Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Associations, Human Resource Managers Association of Uganda (HRMAU) so they can stay abreast of matters of best practice in building their capacity.
5. Solidarity and Collective Care
In 2023, our Sudan colleagues faced a lot of challenges in their work due to the continuous conflict in the country. SIHA ably supported with staff evacuations, relocations and provided psychosocial support to cater for the mental wellbeing of staff amidst the traumatic events that occurred. Staff were given the liberty to remote work with full pay. SIHA continues to monitor the situation whilst issuing advisories to staff on the security situation. Due diligence is done by ensuring staff strike a balance between the difficult situation and serving the vulnerable women and girls in the Horn of Africa.
Furthermore, as a feminist organization, SIHA works in a state of emergency that sometimes calls for staff flexibility in work responsibilities and longer hours of work. To balance this, SIHA gives flexible working conditions based on staff performance track records and supervisor/line manager’s approval in compensating for the extra hours worked that are not monetised.
6. Major HR Achievements and Challenges
6.1 Major HR achievements
■ SIHA Digitalization of processes of documentation where finance, procurement, HR and programme work in interlinked through an online system of requesting and approving budget requests, contracts and grants.
■ Improvement of the onboarding process: The onboarding process has improved where pre-boarding, onboarding and post-boarding are done. The HR department has ensured constant touch with candidates before joining, preparation of tools of trade, inductions upon reporting and continuous support and assessment till new staff are off probation.
■ Successful recruitment of senior staff: SIHA has been able to attract senior staff that have come with vast experience. For instance, the Regional Programs Manager Faizat Badmus-Busari and additional staff within the Finance Department.
■ Strengthening the contracting process: A new contracting system was introduced to streamline our operations and strengthen our commitment as a feminist organization that strives for efficiency and transparency.
■ Continued operations within insecure and conflict-affected areas: Through resilient staff and innovative leadership, SIHA continued to render services in Sudan during the conflicts and insurgencies of 2023.
6.2 Major HR Challenges
■ Staff working in hard-to-reach areas are not well catered for with commensurate benefits given the limited resources and HR budgets. For instance, SIHA staff working in conflict-prone regions like Sudan, Somalia, and South Sudan.
■ Possible solution: Fundraise and incorporate HR costs targeting additional benefits as hard-to-reach allowances, security and safety provisions for trainings, evacuations.
■ Limited awareness of different political and social contexts in countries of operation that dictate several critical HR functions, including recruitment, employee relations, and compliance that affect organizational effectiveness and employee well-being.
■ Solution: HR benchmarks, field trips within the region to gain better understanding of the context.
■ Limited attention to women, people with disabilities and gender minorities in office spaces to cater for their needs in terms of lactating rooms.
■ Solution: SIHA stressing commitment through HR initiatives of diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruitment and HR policy formulation.
■ Continued workforce gaps: There continues to be a workforce gap in some country offices. This is majorly because the increase in projects and work volume is not commensurate to the job needs mostly from the support service sectors as procurement, IT, HR and admin.
■ Solution: Actively engage HR in proposal brainstorming on the part of workforce needs. Engage HR during project inception meetings to set clear workforce forecasts and expected timelines for filling positions required by the projects.
■ Shrinking civic space, hostile government and regimes in the region leading to insecurity. For instance, in Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia regions. This has caused staff to relocate to work away from their duty stations, disruption of operations and work force adaptability, restriction of advocacy efforts.
■ Solution: Provide resilience training and psychosocial support to staff, invest in security assessments and infrastructure, and collaborate with network members, other NGOs to share best practice on operating in such environments.
A NOTE ON COMPLIANCE
Operational Locations
Country
Ethiopia
Somalia
Somaliland
South Sudan
Sudan
Uganda
Ethiopia
Hargeisa
Mogadishu
Puntland
Wau
Juba
Khartoum, El Fashir until Apr 14, 2023
Gezira in December 2023
Kassala
Kampala
Arua
Until recently, SIHA’s operations in Ethiopia were managed remotely, which posed challenges for staff, partners, and stakeholders who had to meet in various informal locations. In July 2023, SIHA secured a permanent office space in a centrally accessible area of Addis Ababa, significantly improving operational efficiency and visibility.
Following formal registration with the Authority for Civil Society Organizations in July 2022, SIHA opened a bank account and obtained a Tax Identification Number (TIN) to align with national laws and ensure operational sustainability in Ethiopia.
Somalia
SIHA has a presence in both Mogadishu and Puntland. Operations in Puntland began with the implementation of the “Championing Change” project, which necessitated registration with the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation. SIHA obtained its initial registration in March 2022, which is renewable annually.
In Mogadishu, SIHA is hosted by member organization Witness Somalia and is registered with the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs & Reconciliation. This registration, renewed in July 2022, is also valid for one year. SIHA remains compliant with the Somali Inland Tax Authority.
Addis Ababa
Somaliland
In Somaliland, SIHA operates out of an office in Hargeisa hosted by member organization NAGAAD. It is registered with the Ministry of Planning and National Development, with the latest registration completed in January 2023. The registration is subject to annual renewal.
South Sudan
SIHA is registered as a national organization with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in South Sudan. The registration is renewed annually, with the most recent renewal completed in April 2023.
Sudan
SIHA’s operations in Sudan were significantly disrupted by the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023. Many staff were displaced, and the main office became inaccessible. Communication was severely affected due to network outages. An ongoing renewal process was halted but resumed later in the year, resulting in a successful registration in Gezira State on November 13, 2023, with annual renewal required.
Although SIHA briefly opened an office in Gezira, it was later closed due to escalating conflict and security concerns as the war expanded into the region.
Uganda
SIHA operates two offices in Uganda, located in Kampala and Arua. The regional office is based in Kampala, while Arua serves as the country office. SIHA is fully registered with the National Bureau for NGOs and holds a valid registration certificate and operational permit, both valid for five years.
Additionally, SIHA Uganda remains compliant with key national regulatory bodies, including the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and the Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO).
MEMBERSHIP
Overview
In 2023, In 2023, SIHA strengthened its network across the Horn of Africa and beyond, with membership applications increasing compared to the previous year. Despite challenges such as regional instability, economic pressures, and logistical barriers, SIHA remained committed to building a dynamic and resilient membership community.
Support Provided to Members
Beyond composition, SIHA continued to invest in strengthening its membership through practical support and engagement opportunities. 29 members received grants to enhance their programming and were supported to participate in international and regional forums, amplifying their voices in critical advocacy spaces. Members also benefited from regular newsletters, which shared opportunities, updates, and resources to reinforce their organizational growth and collective action.
In addition, SIHA facilitated access to feminist knowledge, research, and solidarity spaces, enabling members to connect and learn from one another across the Horn of Africa. Training and capacity-building initiatives enhanced members’ skills in advocacy, gender mainstreaming, and leadership, while networking events fostered collaboration and visibility for grassroots work.
Membership Composition Per Country
Challenges SIHA faced in Membership Coordination
■ Membership fee collection: there is a significant gap between membership numbers and fee payments, both in subscriptions and annual dues.
■ Geographical spread: the wide distribution of members requires more localized support to ensure meaningful engagement.
■ Disruption of in-person assemblies: post COVID-19 effects, coupled with longstanding and emerging conflicts across the region, disrupted SIHA’s ability to convene physical General Assemblies. This limited opportunities for members to engage directly, build solidarity, and shape the Network’s collective agenda.
Challenges faced by SIHA Members in their own contexts
■ Sudan conflict: the war in Sudan led to the closure or displacement of several member organizations, making communication and engagement difficult.
■ Post-COVID-19 effects: lingering impacts of the pandemic continue to affect the sustainability of some organizations.
■ Economic impact of the Ukraine war: this global crisis created economic instability in the region, increasing the cost of living and straining members’ budgets for activity implementation.
■ Limited access to the internet: internet connectivity challenges across the region hinder member access to online opportunities, such as training sessions, networking and learning events, and constrains their engagement in digital advocacy initiatives.
Future Directions for Membership Growth
To address the identified challenges and further strengthen membership, SIHA will implement the following initiatives:
■ Formation of a task force: a dedicated Membership Committee with representation from across the region will be established to improve the membership structure.
■ Resumption of general assemblies: SIHA will resume General Assemblies next year, providing a platform for member voices and fostering deeper engagement.
■ Enhanced member involvement: efforts will focus on increasing interaction and participation to strengthen retention and overall satisfaction.
■ Member feedback response: SIHA will act on member requests for training in financial management, safety and security, and sexual and reproductive health, alongside expanding opportunities for interregional learning and robust capacity-building support.
■ Process automation: the membership application process will be automated to ensure easier tracking and timelier follow-up.
Graphical Composition of membership application received in 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2023, SIHA Network continued to champion gender equality across the Greater Horn of Africa, reaching over 30,000 women and girls despite ongoing conflict, political instability, and restricted civic space. This report presents a summary of our achievements across our five strategic areas: Women and Girls’ Access to Justice, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Women’s Social Protection and Economic Justice, Rights of Women and Girls on the Move, and Building Inclusive Women’s Movements. It also highlights our advocacy work, publications, lessons learned, and the challenges we faced in fragile and conflict-affected environments. From securing policy reforms and delivering emergency support, to training thousands of women leaders and amplifying grassroots voices, SIHA’s work in 2023 demonstrates the continued power and resilience of feminist organizing in the region.
OUR IMPACT IN NUMBERS
Total Reach
Gender Justice
Violence Prevention and Protection
Economic Empowerment
Support for Displaced & Migrant Women and girls
Women-led advocacy networks
Women leaders trained
Coalition building
30,650 women and girls reached through programs, advocacy, and capacity-building efforts
16,034 women and girls empowered to claim their rights and access gender-responsive justice systems.
8,541 women and girls benefited from strengthened prevention, response, and protection systems to end violence.
325 women gained economic empowerment and enhanced social protection, fostering economic justice.
1,989 displaced, migrant and refugee women and girls supported to ensure their rights, safety, and dignity.
200+ women-led organizations and networks supported to strengthen advocacy and leadership.
4,090 women and girl leaders identified, trained, and empowered to lead community mobilization and policy influence
20+ coalition-building events organized, engaging diverse groups, including minorities, IDPs, and grassroots voices
Resourcing 142 grants (29 sub grants and 113 emergency grants) were awarded
PROGRAM INTERVENTIONS
Advocacy and Influencing
SIHA possesses more than 2 decades of experience in spearheading and coordinating advocacy initiatives alongside its member organizations at both national and regional levels. We are dedicated to engaging in advocacy that reflects the ‘lived experiences’ of women and girls in the GHoA. In pursuit of this goal, we emphasize feminist participatory action research, employ intersectional methodologies, and view knowledge creation and advocacy as a collaborative endeavor that elevates the independent voices of women and girls, utilizing their real-life experiences to drive meaningful change. We also urge governments to confront critical women’s rights issues and to bring these matters to the forefront of regional and international human rights policy forums. In 2023, we undertook the following advocacy and influencing initiatives.
A panel of women’s rights representatives from Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia discussing the urgent need for family law reform in the Greater Horn of Africa during one of SIHA’s side events at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), held on Friday, March 17, 2023, in New York
Strengthening Women’s Movements and Advocacy and Networks
SIHA strengthened and linked numerous Women’s Rights Advocates and Organizations (WRA/Os) to national and regional networks, enhancing their capacity to engage in advocacy and mobilization efforts year-round. This was achieved through capacity-building initiatives, strategic networking, and advocacy programs centered on gender-responsive budgeting and shifts in social norms. As a result, a more cohesive and influential movement emerged, effectively championing social change and gender equity across the region.
Amplifying Women’s Voices on National, Regional and Global Platforms
At the national, regional and international levels, we significantly increased the visibility and participation of Women’s Rights Advocates and Organisations (WRAs/Os) across new and already established political and social networks. This strategic engagement spanned key platforms such as the United Nations Security Council Meeting, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the African Commission on People and Human Rights (ACHPR), where we took deliberate actions to ensure women’s voices were heard and at the national and local levels across the region.
As a result, we successfully influenced policy discussions, advancing the inclusion of women in peace negotiations, leadership, and decision-making processes, with a particular focus on solidarity with Sudan. These efforts have had a profound impact on our work on advancing gender equality and strengthening women’s leadership across the region and beyond.
For instance, in South Sudan, our advocacy efforts focused on increasing women’s representation in political positions, including the implementation of the 35% quota for women and ensuring their active participation in peace negotiations. As a result, two women from our network were elected to key decision-making roles: one in the Constitutional Review Commission and the other as the Deputy Chairperson of the National Political Party Council. This achievement significantly impacted political frameworks, advancing gender equality in decision-making processes.
Additionally, these women played a pivotal role in the execution of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan by advocating for the inclusion of gender considerations in the deployment of unified forces. This highlights the tangible impact of our work in advancing women’s leadership and promoting gender-sensitive policies in critical areas.
Number of Policy Processes and Fora Participated in and Contributed to
International: 11, including the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), Briefing of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Shaping Feminist Foreign Policy Conference (SFFP) organized by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the 2023 Women Deliver Conference, among others.
Regional: 16, including the 77th and 78th Ordinary Sessions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), WE RISE 2023 Regional Learning Exchange, Maputo Protocol
20th Anniversary Celebrations, Africa Family Law Network Strategy Meeting, Feminist Peace & Solidarity Conference on Sudan, and the Regional Gender Forum.
National: Over 40 events, including National Stakeholder Meetings on the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, screening of the documentary film Shirin Ebadi: Until We Are Free, and 12 online events such as Twitter Spaces and webinars.
Promoting Gender Responsive Legal and Policy Frameworks
During this reporting period, SIHA achieved significant progress in its countries of implementation, driving policy reforms and strengthening legislative frameworks aimed at advancing gender equality and women’s rights. Key accomplishments include:
Hala Alkarib, Regional Director of the SIHA Network, addressing the UN Security Council on the situation in Sudan during the during the Annual Open Debate on Women, Peace, and Security in New York
Uganda: We made significant strides were made to enhance women’s rights through the ratification of ILO Convention 190, improving workplace protections against violence and harassment. With SIHA’s support, FIDA-Uganda played a key role in the Technical Working Group, collaborating with the government and civil society organizations. Following our advocacy around the implementation of the Maputo Protocol, Uganda also demonstrated its commitment to international standards by actively contributing to the drafting and revision of national reports on women’s rights under the Maputo Protocol, strengthening legal protections for women.
The development of 2 key ordinances: the Gender Based Violence and People with Disabilities Ordinances were notable achievements. The ordinances aim to strengthen the rights of gender-based violence survivors and individuals with disabilities within the city’s governance. The process was supported by input from 9 women activists from the We Cannot Wait Coalition, ensuring that the ordinances align with Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, the Persons with Disabilities Act 2020, and relevant international agreements.
Another key legislative initiative in Uganda was continued advocacy for passage of the Marriage Bill 2022, which seeks to revise the outdated Marriage Act. The Bill aims to align marriage laws with progressive societal values and legal standards, emphasizing gender equality at the family level.
In Somaliland, we established alliances of civil society organizations to advocate for the enactment and enforcement of the Sexual Offenses Bill. These coalitions worked to ensure that criminal court investigations and decisions strictly comply with the Act, while also pushing for the prohibition of customary courts from addressing or intervening in cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including rape and domestic abuse.
In Somalia, we actively advocated for the government to pass the Sexual Offenses Bill, emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators of sexual violence accountable through statutory court proceedings, and worked to prevent customary courts from adjudicating such cases. These efforts were aimed at strengthening legal frameworks to protect survivors and promote justice for SGBV victims.
South Sudanese women’s rights activists celebrating the ratification of the Maputo Protocol
South Sudan: On June 7th, 2023, South Sudan’s Minister of Gender, Honourable Aya Benjamin Warille, marked a historic moment by depositing the instruments of ratification for the Maputo Protocol, a progressive legal framework for African women’s rights. Influenced by extensive advocacy from national and regional women’s rights groups, including SIHA’s We Cannot Wait Women’s Coalition in Juba, this ratification signals a transformative potential in South Sudan’s legal landscape and gender equality discourse. The Consortium continues to support local women’s rights groups, activists, and leaders in popularizing and advocating for the full domestication and implementation of the Maputo Protocol.
Capacity Building
In addition to the above, SIHA Network strengthened its commitment to promoting women’s rights and gender equality through targeted capacity-building initiatives. These efforts focused on equipping women’s rights activists, leaders, and community members with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively advocate for gender justice, protect women’s rights, and influence policy changes. The trainings covered a wide range of crucial topics, designed to address both the immediate and long-term needs of women in the Horn of Africa.
The key areas of focus included safety and security, human rights monitoring and reporting, digital safety and online communication, and legal protections, ensuring participants gained the tools to navigate complex challenges in their work. Additionally, the programs emphasized survivor-centered approaches, leadership advocacy, negotiation, mediation, and conflict analysis, which are critical for fostering inclusive peace processes and addressing gender-based issues. Key achievements from these interventions include:
In South Sudan, we organized a training for male traditional leaders on gender equality and women’s rights. As a result of the knowledge and skills acquired, majority of the participants began to support and adopt more inclusive practices within their traditional courts and community initiatives, contributing to addressing critical issues such as child marriage and gender-based violence.
Additionally, in South Sudan, we strengthened coordination among Gender Based Violence (GBV) actors at both the State and National levels through the National GBV sub-cluster. This included comprehensive training on the Standard Operating Procedures for GBV responses, as well as focused training on GBV case management, referral pathways, and service mapping. These initiatives significantly enhanced the coordination and effectiveness of service providers, ensuring better support for survivors through validated referral pathways.
In Uganda, SIHA built the capacity of 315 women-led organizations across Gulu, Lira, Pader, and Kampala, in policy advocacy, movement building, financial literacy, and economic empowerment. These organizations successfully conducted over 12 community outreaches and managed a significant portion of gender-based violence referrals, reflecting enhanced coordination and greater impact in their advocacy efforts.
Additionally, SIHA facilitated women’s movement building for 32 Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) and 20 women street and market vendors in Arua City through targeted training that enhanced their understanding of feminist participatory approaches to leadership, advocacy, and lobbying, while strengthening their ability to mobilize, grow collectively, and develop a unified agenda for the women’s movement in West Nile. Additionally, the training focused on safety, security, and protective skills, improving their coordination and response to threats and incidents that hinder their efforts to promote women’s rights and secure a safe working environment.
We also enhanced the skills of 44 journalists in gender-transformative reporting, equipping them to challenge harmful social norms and improve gender-sensitive coverage.
In Somaliland, SIHA strengthened women’s voice, agency, influence, and leadership by supporting 24 coalitions to engage in diverse forums across the region on gender advocacy. Notable successes include the Badbaado Women’s Association, which held 9 community dialogues to raise awareness of gender-based violence (GBV). Additionally, women parliamentarians, led by the Deputy Speaker of Women, successfully
advocated for the tabling of the Sexual Offence Bill for its first reading, marking a significant step toward legislative change.
In both Mogadishu (Somalia) and Hargeisa (Somaliland), SIHA strengthened the capabilities of 352 service providers through training that enhanced their expertise in sexual violence survivor-centered methodologies, legal frameworks, and women’s rights. This development enabled them to provide more effective support and justice to survivors. The trained service providers included healthcare professionals, police personnel, social workers, paralegals, and legal experts. Additionally, the training initiatives strengthened protection units in 10 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Mogadishu and Hargeisa, further improving support systems for vulnerable communities.
In Sudan, SIHA collaborated closely with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Khartoum to provide vital capacity-building training for 19 human rights attorneys, including 12 men and 7 women. The training focused on human rights monitoring and reporting, utilizing the OHCHR Manual as a core resource. This initiative significantly improved the documentation and reporting of human rights violations in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, contributing to more credible and effective advocacy.
Additionally, in Sudan, SIHA conducted specialized Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions for 22 educators and female students, focusing on trauma, psychosocial support, and healing. This initiative equipped participants with the skills needed to address the urgent demands for psychological trauma management and immediate medical care. As a result,
the girls formed protective circles to safeguard themselves and other survivors from further violence. These circles served as key response hubs, providing essential interventions such as medical services, relocation support, and housing assistance. Additionally, the reach of these girls’ circles extended beyond El Fasher, meeting the needs of displaced populations in new areas, including Adre Camp in Chad.
A group photo of service providers from Mogadishu, including healthcare workers, police, social workers, paralegals, and legal experts - after training on sexual violence survivor-centered approaches, legal frameworks, and women’s rights
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
At SIHA, ending violence against women and girls is at the core of our work. We therefore actively support, and nurture autonomous, intersectional movements focused on addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG), with particular attention to those from marginalized communities. This includes women and girls affected by conflict, internally displaced individuals, refugees in camps, urban poor, and migrant women living in slums. We also prioritize women and girls living in poverty with limited access to education, particularly young women.
Partnership
Across the GHoA region, we strengthened partnerships among diverse stakeholders, including law enforcement, UN agencies, civil society organizations, government ministries, and religious leaders, to advance women’s rights. In Somalia and Somaliland, for example, coalitions of civil society organizations collaborated with religious leaders and government ministries to advocate for the passage of key legislation, such as the Sexual Offenses Bill. These partnerships played a vital role in driving legislative change and promoting women’s rights across the region.
and Africa. Our presentation on “Funding Feminist
on South Sudan’s challenges amid COVID-19 and related crises
In Somalia and Somaliland, we facilitated collaboration between survivors and journalists, which played a crucial role in raising awareness of underreported cases of gender-based violence (GBV). The narratives captured by journalists not only shed light on the challenges faced by survivors but also amplified their voices, strengthening the call for improved protective measures and services from key stakeholders.
Additionally, in Somaliland, SIHA, championed a partnership with the Disability People Association, that raised awareness about the rights and challenges faced by women and girls with disabilities in IDP camps in Hargeisa. The partnership resulted in a series of trainings focused on legal protections, available support systems, and key issues such as unemployment, sexual violence, and forced marriages affecting this group. Recommendations from the trainings included empowering Disabled People’s Organizations and establishing accessible, confidential mechanisms for reporting incidents of sexual violence.
Service Delivery
In South Sudan, Somalia, and Somaliland, we provided extensive support services to survivors of sexual violence through the establishment of a GBV shelter and mobile community outreach programs. These programs included medical care, psychosocial counseling, legal assistance, and material support.
A total of 1,534 SGBV survivors accessed these services, with 748 individuals from the Somalia and Somaliland, and 344 from Western Bahr el Ghazal state in South
SIHA’s Regional Programme Manager [left] at the Co-Regional Learning Exchange by the United Nations Trust Fund, linking Latin America
Movements in Crises” focused
Sudan. Of these, 465 survivors received support related to sexual violence, 164 accessed legal services, and 463 benefited from psychosocial support.
Furthermore, we distributed hygiene and dignity kits to over 442 women and girls in IDP camps, demonstrating our targeted strategy to support vulnerable populations in the three countries.
Community Outreach
In South Sudan, SIHA made significant progress in raising community awareness about the factors contributing to sexual violence, such as harmful social norms, while also implementing effective prevention and response strategies. Community dialogue events engaged 617 participants, and radio talk shows reached approximately 14,400 listeners. These awareness initiatives, particularly through radio programming and community gatherings, were instrumental in educating residents about preventing sexual violence, the rights of survivors, and identifying harmful practices. Additionally, the emphasis on involving youth in shaping community attitudes and behaviours was vital in ensuring sustainability of these interventions.
Additionally, in South Sudan, we engaged 59 male traditional leaders in meaningful discussions aimed at transforming their perspectives on family law. This initiative sought to challenge entrenched misconceptions and promote a more inclusive interpretation of family laws within traditional judicial systems.
Similarly in Sudan, 42 men were mobilised to participated in consultations focused on the experiences of women during conflict, with the goal of fostering a future centred on inclusive peace processes, while ensuring accountability for sexual and gender-based atrocities in the current conflict.
In Somalia and Somaliland, SIHA organized awareness sessions and community radio programs advocating for policy changes, particularly regarding the Sexual Offences Bills (SOBs). We highlighted the need for stronger legislative measures to protect women and girls particularly from SGBV. As result, in cities like Mogadishu, our coalition members organized protests and issued public statements calling for justice in high-profile cases, such as the tragic incident involving Luul Abdi, while also pushing for the enactment of the SOB. These initiatives garnered significant public attention and generated momentum for legal reform.
In Ethiopia, we organized community dialogues and awareness sessions for 107 young individuals, focusing on gender-based violence, power imbalances, and
issues such as sexism, misogyny, and SGBV. The sessions enhanced participants’ understanding and advocacy skills, empowering them to actively challenge harmful practices and promote gender equality.
Bibiana Joseph Awad, SIHA’s South Sudan Projects Officer, during a radio talk show on Voice of Hope Radio in Wau, that raised awareness about the effects of early and forced marriage on girls and women; and emphasized the urgent need to end these practices.
Creation of Safe Spaces
Across the region, we strengthened the safety and safeguarding of women human rights defenders while providing direct protection services to at-risk women and girls, with a particular focus on survivors from minority groups.
In Somalia and Somaliland, we supported peer support groups within internally displaced persons (IDP) communities, to create safe spaces for survivors of sexual violence to share experiences and access vital assistance. A notable example is the Social Innovation Bootcamp held in Hargeisa, which empowered 24 survivors to create peer support networks. These initiatives provided crucial emotional and social support for the participants.
Emergency practical assistance was provided to 6 SGBV survivors in South Sudan through the distribution of emergency cash by caseworkers and outreach assistants. This support addressed various immediate needs, including meals during hospitalization, assistance with age assessments for legal proceedings, obtaining judgment certificates, financing court appeals, and covering transportation costs for survivors’ court appearances.
In Sudan, we facilitated the establishment of girls’ protection circles in four internally displaced persons (IDP) camps - two within the Abu Shouk camps and two in the southern center. These circles provide trauma-informed care, psychosocial support, and healing services to survivors of sexual violence and exploitation. Despite unstable security conditions that made conventional educational and literacy programs
impractical, the protection circles remained operational, offering safe environments and essential assistance to survivors of conflict related sexual and gender based violence.
Enhancing Women and Girl’s Access to Rights and Justice
We are deeply committed to advancing women’s and girls’ access to rights and justice. Our work focuses on advocating for the alignment of domestic legislation with international and regional human rights standards. We also highlight the limitations of customary institutions in delivering justice and accountability for women and girls, while challenging the patriarchal structures embedded in laws, policies, and institutions largely shaped by men. Additionally, through a transformative approach, we develop political and feminist interpretations of justice to address the root causes of inequality that undermine women’s rights. Below is a summary of our key achievements in 2023:
Community Outreach
SIHA supported Women Peace Activists (WPAs) from Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia, to provide crucial psychosocial support to displaced women and survivors of conflict, focusing on trauma recovery, mental well-being, and creating safe spaces for solidarity and social support.
The WPAs also organized collective care sessions, strengthening solidarity and mutual support among activists. In Sudan, particular attention was given to the protection of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) and the development of strategies to address emerging risks they face.
These efforts directly contribute to enhancing women’s access to justice by providing
A safe space meeting held at Ibrahim Shelter, Kassala, Sudan
survivors with the necessary support to recover and pursue legal redress, strengthening the collective advocacy for the protection of women’s rights, and ensuring that women and girls, particularly those from marginalized communities, have the resources and networks needed to navigate legal and societal systems that uphold justice.
In Sudan, particularly in the regions of Kadugli, Eldiling, and Kassala, we facilitated youth forums aimed at addressing critical issues related to gender, violence, peacebuilding, and nonviolent activism. These discussions focused on conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Through collaboration with civil society organizations and professionals, the youth actively advocated for gender equality, contributing to efforts that promote justice and accountability for women and girls in these regions.
Similarly, in Sudan, legal aid teams were supported to document human rights violations during protests in Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri. Legal aid services were also provided to survivors of sexual and domestic violence, with emergency grants offered to ensure access to essential medical and legal support, thereby enhancing survivors’ access to justice and essential services.
In Ethiopia, we supported women peace activists to organize national dialogue forums to advocate for women’s inclusion in the Ethiopia National Dialogue, a critical government initiative designed to address long-standing national issues through credible, inclusive, and participatory dialogue.
Similarly, in Somalia and Somaliland, women peace activists were supported to advocate for the passage of the Sexual Offences Bill, the full implementation of CEDAW, and increased women’s representation in decision-making processes.
A cross-section of participants during a forum strategizing women’s inclusion in the Ethiopian National Dialogue Consultative Process
These efforts are pivotal in ensuring that women’s voices are heard in critical policy and legal reforms, creating pathways for stronger legal protections, and fostering gender equality in governance and decision-making.
Through our partnership with FIDA Uganda, we supported Women’s Rights Advocates (WRAs) in Uganda to organize 12 legal awareness sessions focused on women’s rights to access justice. These sessions, which engaged 1,537 participants (1,351 females and 186 males) took place across Kampala, Lira, Gulu, and Pader districts. Participants gained valuable insights into women’s legal rights, leading to an increase in newly registered coalition members.
Resourcing
7 grassroots women’s rights organizations (WROs) across Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, and Ethiopia received support to strengthen their advocacy efforts around enhancing women’s access to justice.
In Somalia, the Women and Child Care Association used the grant to host a National Stakeholders Meeting that addressed issues such as sexual abuse and advocated for the passage of the Sexual Offenses Bill. In Somaliland, the Somaliland Women’s Research and Action Group (SOWRAG) organized consultative meetings with decision-makers, while the Voice of Somaliland Minority Women’s Organization (VOSOMWO) led discussions exploring the intersection of legal frameworks, culture, religion, and women’s empowerment.
In Sudan, the Alta’adod Multipurpose Cooperative Women’s Association in Omdurman used its grant to purchase first aid kits, enabling rehabilitated women to assist during protests and document human rights violations for potential legal action.
In Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Women with Disabilities National Association (EWDNA) convened peace conferences to spotlight women’s roles in peacebuilding and utilized media platforms to amplify their voices.
In South Sudan, the Center for Strengthening Community Voices (CSCOV) and the National Women Empowerment Rehabilitation Organization (NWERO) facilitated dialogues on women’s political participation, promoting greater visibility and leadership in peace processes.
These initiatives significantly contributed to advancing women’s activism, legislative reform, and empowerment in conflict and post-conflict settings.
Enhancing Women’s Social Protection & Economic Justice
SIHA has developed extensive and unique expertise in supporting urban women working in the informal sector, particularly market and street vendors, by empowering them to understand and assert their economic and social rights. This work has led to the formation of cooperatives and unions, with our movement-building approach proving highly effective.
Additionally, our revolves around spotlighting their contributions to the economy, challenging economic marginalization, advocating for their safety, and promoting their rights. In addition, we provide financial literacy training through tailored capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening their skills and knowledge in business and financial management.
Capacity Building
In Somalia, SIHA, in collaboration with the NAGAAD Network, organized budgeting skills and financial literacy training for Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs), including Safe Somali Women and Children (SSWC) and the Safe Women Development Centre (SWDC). As a direct outcome of this training, participants engaged in several budget meetings and forums hosted by the Ministry of Finance, where they actively advocated for the inclusion of funds specifically allocated to women in the 2023 national budget.
Safe Spaces
In Uganda, we organized safe spaces that allowed women market and street vendors to share their personal experiences, particularly around issues such as security concerns, double taxation, domestic violence, lack of social protection, and poor working conditions. These gatherings also provided an opportunity to exchange information on available support systems for survivors of sexual and gender-based
A safe space conversation with women market vendors in Arua City, Uganda
violence (SGBV), strengthening protection mechanisms within their communities. Additionally, the spaces empowered women to develop advocacy agendas aimed at promoting their economic and social rights in the face of systemic marginalization.
Resourcing
SIHA supported the Naguru Women Market Vendors Cooperative Society Limited in Kampala Uganda with funds to establish a crafts and shoemaking training centre aimed at diversifying members’ sources of income. The centre will also serve as a safe space for women vendors to come together, share experiences and challenges, build trust, and develop advocacy strategies for collective action around their economic and social rights.
Promoting the Rights of Women and Girls on the Move
Over the years, SIHA has documented the challenges faced by women and girls in transit, highlighting their trauma, lack of legal protection, and violations committed by trafficking networks, employers, and even their own families. Unfortunately, governments in both countries of origin and destination have largely failed to intervene.
SIHA remains committed to the belief that women and girls have the right to travel and cross borders safely. Through its initiatives, SIHA develops feminist perspectives on mixed migration, addressing its root causes and contributing factors. To this end, our interventions empowered women and girl migrants by supporting their self-organization, enhancing their ability to protect themselves, and raising awareness of their rights to migrate and work without exploitation.
Vocational Training
In South Sudan, we facilitated vocational training programs for migrant girls tailored to local market needs. In Juba, 9 girls completed a three-month course at the Multi-Service Training Center, gaining skills in hairdressing, tailoring, and baking. In Wau, 12 girls finished training in catering and hospitality. These programs equipped participants with practical, marketable skills, enhancing their employability and promoting self-sufficiency. Upon graduation, the girls received start-up kits and financial assistance to launch their own businesses. Tailoring graduates in Juba were provided with sewing machines and materials, while hairdressing graduates received professional kits. In Wau, the trained groups were given kitchen equipment, ovens, and support to rent spaces for catering services.
In Somaliland, 10 girls were supported to complete training programs in non-traditional, marketable skills. 6 of them finished an IT program covering essential skills such as programming, CCTV installation, and graphic design, while the remaining 4 girls trained in tailoring. This support has been vital in helping these girls transition to practical application through employment, thereby promoting self-reliance and economic empowerment.
Community Outreach
We provided sports and recreational equipment to three girls’ associations in South Sudan, creating opportunities for them to participate in healthy activities. This initiative helped break down social barriers and stereotypes that often prevent women from engaging in sports and public life.
Additionally, we assisted in acquiring sports gear such as footballs, volleyballs, nets, skipping ropes, whistles, sports uniforms, and shoes. This equipment was essential for establishing structured sports programs within internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, where such resources were previously unavailable. Organized sports not only promoted physical activity but also fostered social interaction and community building, enhancing teamwork, and collaboration among the participants.
In Sudan, alongside organizing recreational activities aimed at helping girls living in IDP shelters connect, play, and express themselves, we also facilitated dialogues between boys and girls on the fair sharing of play areas. These discussions led to a equal participation, which was subsequently monitored by the camp management teams to ensure ongoing cooperation and inclusivity.
Additionally, we facilitated safe space dialogues between migrant women and girls and national and international human rights organizations, offering a platform for them to express their concerns. One significant outcome was a visit to the Adré camp [managed by SIHA and local girls’ associations] by representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the European Union (EU) Delegation, ACTED, and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).
Migrant girls from Somaliland receiving start-up kits to pursue non-traditional career paths, like IT Programming
The center’s team also took part in consultation meetings with UNHCR and other refugee groups to explore ways of financially supporting refugees through community-led economic initiatives.
Today, Adré camp stands as a model social hub, improving the prospects of refugees through vocational training, networking opportunities, and collaboration with local communities to tackle shared challenges.
Safety
Juba, South Sudan – Girls engaged in recreational activities
Group photo of Migrant Girls’ Association members in Kadulgi, Sudan, during their monthly mentoring session
Recognizing the importance of psychological safety and support, we organized monthly mentoring sessions in Sudan, South Sudan, and Somaliland for girls affected by migration and displacement. Led by trained peers and psychosocial support professionals, the sessions offered a safe space for girls to share their experiences, seek guidance, and access support for the challenges they face.
They also provided much-needed relief from the trauma of violence and displacement, helping participants manage stress and build emotional resilience.
Resourcing
We allocated sub-grants to associations working with girls and young women to strengthen local efforts aimed at promoting their rights and supporting reintegration, particularly for migrant and displaced girls.
In Juba, South Sudan, a small grant was awarded to Lulu Care to implement initiatives that improved access to menstrual hygiene products and services across 3 internally displaced persons (IDP) communities. This initiative reached 255 girls, with each of whom receiving at least one dignity kit. In Somaliland, the Voices of Somaliland Minority Women Organization (VOSOMWO) used its sub-grant to provide comprehensive support to 20 survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the Statehouse IDP camp that included medical, legal, and psychosocial services.
Building Inclusive Women’s Movements
SIHA supports women’s movements across the region by building coalitions, developing shared strategies, strengthening activist capacity, and fostering alliances.
Participants of the 2023 Regional Gender Forum, which brought together women’s rights activists from across the region to strategize on a joint advocacy agenda for enhancing the rights of women and girls
At the heart of our movement-building is a commitment to trust building, intersectionality, and collective action. SIHA places particular emphasis on supporting grassroots organizing among marginalized groups, including urban poor women, conflict-affected communities, domestic workers, and young women and girls.
To strengthen feminist movements across the Horn of Africa, SIHA developed a community-led Early Warning Early Response (EWER) System to monitor sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Piloted in Ethiopia, Somaliland, South Sudan, and Sudan, the system will support grassroots actors, especially women and girls in collecting and using data for policy advocacy. It also aims to enhance protection, accountability, and informed responses to the evolving risks facing vulnerable groups such as women, children, and internally displaced persons.
In Ethiopia, we supported 35 young women from conflict-affected areas by creating safe spaces for self and collective care, where they could share their stories and experiences. These spaces provided vital psychosocial support and served as a practical application of the Early Warning Early Response (EWER) system, enhancing the participants’ advocacy skills and strengthening their role within the community.
Furthermore, in partnership with Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) in Ethiopia, we made significant progress in pursuing collaborative strategic legal action on conflict-related gender-based violence (CRGBV). The initiative focused on 10 cases of sexual violence including rape, gang rape, and forced prostitution in the Amhara, Tigray, and Afar regions. LHR led a rigorous evidence-gathering process, compiling documents, survivor testimonies, and other materials into a comprehensive report that formed the basis for national-level litigation. This legal effort is part of a broader campaign to ensure accountability and drive legal reforms around CRGBV in the region.
In Sudan, we supported the Gender Equality Networks (GENs) to organize Local Gender Forums focused on strengthening women’s movements at both local and national levels, with an emphasis on women’s social and economic rights. The forums also played a vital role by bringing together community members to explore and discuss the intersections of Islamic law and women’s human rights
Members of the South Kordofan Gender Equality Network at a Local Gender Forum
Influencing
In Uganda, SIHA supported Women’s Rights Advocates (WRAs) in gaining access to traditionally male-dominated spaces. One activist joined the Ker Kwaro (Acholi Cultural Institution) committee, contributing to discussions on issues affecting women and girls. Another became part of the Lango Itogo Committee (council of elders), while a third was elected to the Protocol Committee of the Episcopal Conference of the Catholic Church. These milestones mark a breakthrough in challenging the historic exclusion of women from cultural and religious decision-making roles.
A panel discussion during the Feminist Peace and Solidarity Conference, held on November 22–23, 2023 in Nairobi - Kenya. The event spotlighted Sudan’s crisis through a feminist lens and brought together over 140 participants, including Sudanese women, women human rights defenders from across the region, and international stakeholders
In Ethiopia , SIHA collaborated with the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) to influence legislation and policies that protect and advance women’s rights. This included developing guidelines on maternity rights for students and contributing to state reporting to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights on violations of women’s rights. We also participated in national discussions on the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.
In Somalia , particularly in Puntland, SIHA supported the election of women to municipal councils, showcasing the impact of sustained coalition-led advocacy. This progress was reinforced through leadership, advocacy, and training programs in three regions, which helped shift perspectives on women’s active participation in leadership roles at both the local and national levels, advancing gender equality and strengthening women’s voices in leadership.
In Sudan, despite the ongoing war and political instability, SIHA has remained unwavering in its advocacy efforts to end human rights violations and promote women’s rights. These efforts included organizing solidarity conferences and events, issuing petition and advocacy letters and statements, and engaging with international and regional mechanisms. Notably, vigorous lobbying contributed to the successful call for a fact-finding mission in Sudan by the United Nations - highlighting the power of collective advocacy in addressing human rights abuses and reinforcing SIHA’s broader commitment to justice and accountability.
In South Sudan, sub-grants were provided to strengthen advocacy efforts for enactment of critical legislation, including the Anti-GBV and Family Law bills, which were unfortunately blocked in parliament.
Following strategic advocacy for women’s inclusion in leadership, 30 trained women’s rights advocates were appointed to key positions. Notably, Mama Zainab, a We Cannot Wait Coalition Member from Juba, joined the Reconstituted Constitutional Review Commission, ensuring women’s voices are reflected in the constitutional process. Similarly, Mama Lona was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the National Political Party Council (PPC), a role that significantly shifted perceptions around women’s participation in political parties.
Resourcing
SIHA Network awarded subgrants to women’s coalitions across the region to provide emergency support to at-risk women and girls.
In parallel, SIHA also supported the participation of 5 grassroots women leaders and activists at the 75th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), held from May 3 to 23, 2023, in Banjul, The Gambia. This amplified local voices at a key continental human rights platform.
women leaders and activists supported by SIHA Network to participate and engage at the 75th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), held from 3–23 May 2023 in Banjul, The Gambia
Grassroots
In South Sudan, SIHA allocated sub-grants to Women for Justice and Equality to support advocacy around two key legal frameworks: the Anti-GBV Bill and the Family Law Bill. As a result of this advocacy, the Anti-GBV Bill was withdrawn from parliament to allow for further consultations with civil society organizations and women’s groups. Additionally, the Women with Disability Network was supported to advocate for the ratification of the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which led to the government’s decision to ratify.
3 women’s organizations working in conflict and post-conflict regions in Ethiopia and Somaliland received small grants to strengthen their local efforts. In Ethiopia’s Addis Ketema area, the support focused on advancing women’s economic initiatives, while in Somaliland, the grants helped promote advocacy and decision-making participation for 192 girls. These initiatives were implemented in collaboration with local partners, including Yiwatek Timret Self Help (Ethiopia), and WHEEA and VOSOMWO (Somaliland). Collectively, these efforts played a vital role in enhancing local capacities to address gender-specific needs and push for policy reforms.
Emergency Response Program in Sudan
SIHA launched a Protection, Response, and Documentation unit in Sudan to strengthen the protection of women and girls affected by conflict and improve their access to essential services and supplies related to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The Unit implemented interventions in Kassala, Khartoum, South Kordofan, North Darfur, and West Darfur/Chad, addressing urgent concerns such as unlawful detentions, asset seizures, and various forms of violence, abuse, harassment, and threats against civilians caught in the ongoing conflict. Through grants, the Unit also enhanced access to legal aid, medical care, psychosocial support, and transportation to these services, alongside support for temporary relocation of women human rights defenders. A total of 2,553 individuals benefited from this initiative.
A total of 2,553 individuals benefited from this initiative.
Knowledge Generation
Throughout 2023, SIHA’s knowledge production efforts continued to amplify the voices and experiences of women and girls across the Horn of Africa through evidence-based research and analysis. Working across six key thematic areas— Women, Peace, and Security; Movement Building; Access to Justice; Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG); Social Protection and Economic Justice; and the Rights of Women and Girls on the Move—SIHA produced a range of outputs, including research reports and briefing papers. The publications served as critical tools for advocacy, policy engagement, and grassroots mobilization.
■ 21 press statements, gender alerts, and confidential memos were prepared and widely circulated.
■ 11 publications including newsletters, research reports, briefing papers, and training manuals, were developed and published.
■ 7 audiovisual productions, such as documentaries, were produced and disseminated.
Group photo of in-person participants at the launch of the 6th Edition of the Women in Islam Journal, held in Kampala, Uganda on January 19, 2023
This Briefing Paper contextualizes the armed conflict in Las” anod, Somali, with a focus on its impact on women and girls. Grounded in first-hand accounts from local citizens and civil society, it highlights the gendered dimensions of the crisis and the urgent need for responsive, inclusive interventions.
The 6th Edition of the Women in Islam Journal aims to deconstruct stereotypes about Muslim women by presenting a nuanced view of gender relations in Muslim communities and highlighting the diverse lived experiences of women and men in both majority and minority Muslim contexts.
This Research is grounded in a feminist epistemology that centers women’s diverse voices, lived experiences, and knowledge as foundational to (re) conceptualizing and theorizing peace, peacebuilding, and security using the case of Sudan.
This Study provides an in-depth analysis of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Wau, South Sudan, examining the complex and evolving nature of rape and other forms of SGBV within the context of ongoing conflict and entrenched cultural norms.
This Report documents widespread violations of civilian rights—particularly those of women and girls—through established networks and mechanisms. It highlights alarming trends, including deteriorating living conditions, lack of access to essential healthcare, and increased exposure to extreme violence, especially in conflict-affected areas such as Khartoum and Darfur.
The Feminist Peace Lab (FPL) Training Manual supports Women, Peace, and Security practitioners in the Greater Horn of Africa by providing adaptable tools across five modules. It fosters skill-sharing, network-building, and collective learning, drawing on participants’ experiences to strengthen WPS efforts.
TO VIEW ALL OF OUR PUBLICATIONS, PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING LINK https://sihanet.org/publications/ OR SCAN THE QR CODE BELOW
Challenges & security threats
One of many buildings destroyed by the ongoing war in Sudan, which has caused civilian deaths, widespread property destruction, and mass displacement both within and outside the country. Despite renewed negotiations, no lasting ceasefire has been achieved, and the conflict continues with dire humanitarian consequences and regional ramifications
Security threats and political instability across the region—particularly in Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia severely disrupted scheduled operations and posed significant risks to personnel.
In Somalia, for example, a bomb explosion near the SWDC office in Mogadishu during the 16 Days of Activism interrupted key events, including a scheduled radio broadcast. In South Central Somalia, non-state actors such as Al-Shabaab continued to threaten civil society organizations (CSOs) and activists, forcing them to operate in a climate of fear. Deep-rooted cultural norms also limited women’s involvement in peacebuilding efforts.
In Sudan, escalating conflict and instability significantly affected programming. In El Fasher’s Abu Shouk camp, deteriorating security conditions forced a shift from literacy instruction to trauma response training. In Darfur, persistent violence disrupted activities and required relocation of interventions, while transportation and security concerns made regular training difficult.
The use of schools as shelters for internally displaced persons, along with community stigma around sexual violence and resistance to girls’ participation in activities, further complicated implementation. The broader conflict led to the departure of many women lawyers, hindering legal initiatives and policy work. However, the continued presence of community paralegals allowed for targeted efforts to expand women’s access to justice. An internet shutdown during the reporting period also limited participation in online programs, prompting an extended application window for the Sudan TOT.
South Sudan faced similar challenges. In Wau, a key location for project activities, insecurity and shrinking civic space posed serious risks to staff and disrupted implementation. Ongoing intercommunal tensions in both Wau and IDP camps in Yumbe further hampered progress. Meanwhile, women peace advocates faced resistance from government and local actors, struggling to access peace processes.
In Ethiopia, civic space remained fragile, with activists often labelled as spies or accused of promoting political agendas.
In Uganda , the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 created an increasingly hostile environment for CSOs, particularly those working on sexual and reproductive health rights or minority rights.
Cultural resistance rooted in longstanding traditions also significantly limited women’s participation across the region. Women also remained largely excluded from political processes and decision-making platforms. This marginalization severely restricted their access to information and limited their ability to effectively advocate for peace.
Lessons Learned
Operations in rural areas were further challenged by poor infrastructure and weak communication networks. In many locations, inconsistent power supply and internet connectivity disrupted collaboration and communication among stakeholders.
Women’s rights activists from Arua City, Uganda, during a public march on International Women’s Day 2023, calling for a more inclusive digital economy by breaking technological barriers for women
The political instability in Sudan underscored the importance of implementing adaptable program strategies. SIHA learned that the ability to quickly adjust and reallocate resources is crucial in unpredictable environments. Future initiatives should incorporate more flexible frameworks to ensure program continuity and effectiveness amid political upheaval.
Community engagement emerged as a key lesson. The active involvement of local communities played a significant role in our success, particularly in the planning and execution of activities. By engaging community leaders and participants in meaningful discussions, we ensured our interventions were culturally relevant and aligned with the specific needs of the local population. This approach not only made the implementation process smoother but also fostered a sense of ownership among community members, which is vital for the long-term sustainability of our initiatives.
The comprehensive approach to empowerment, which combines vocational training with psychosocial support and advocacy, proved highly
effective. Feedback from participants highlighted that this holistic approach significantly boosted their self-esteem and sense of agency. In environments where women and girls face numerous challenges, focusing on just one aspect of empowerment often falls short. By offering layered support, participants were not only able to cope but also thrive within their communities.
Safe spaces are essential in providing young women with a protected environment that encourages self-expression, skill development, and emotional support. The success of these spaces in fostering personal growth and community cohesion emphasizes the importance of creating such environments in all initiatives aimed at vulnerable groups.
Understanding and respecting local customs and cultural contexts was crucial for gaining community acceptance. In Somalia, for example, engaging community leaders and male allies to advocate for women’s involvement in peace initiatives was key to overcoming societal barriers faced by women.
Future Outlook and Strategic Directions
Strengthening Human Resources through Automation
SIHA is committed to enhancing internal efficiency by transitioning to a streamlined human resources system. This includes the adoption of self-service portals that will automate key HR operations such as leave requests, performance tracking, and payroll management. The shift aims to reduce administrative overhead, improve staff experience, and ensure more responsive and agile HR support across the network
Conducting a Comprehensive Salary and Benefits Benchmarking Exercise
To remain competitive and equitable in its compensation practices, SIHA plans to carry out a salary and benefits comparison with peer organizations operating in similar contexts. This strategic initiative will inform the development of a fair and transparent remuneration framework, helping to attract and retain top talent while reinforcing SIHA’s commitment to staff welfare and organizational sustainability.
Enhancing Learning and Collaboration through Strategic Partnerships
As part of its collaboration with Crossroads International under the Mastercard Foundation project, SIHA will facilitate the placement of scholars and volunteers across its programming areas. This initiative is designed to create meaningful learning opportunities for emerging professionals while expanding SIHA’s technical and human resource capacity. The placements will also foster knowledge exchange, support local implementation, and strengthen regional solidarity in advancing women’s rights and social justice.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
OUR BOARD
Board of Directors
OMAYMA ELMARDI
RABHA ELIS BANDAS
LILLIAN BYARUGABA ADRIKO
RIGBE GEBREHAWARIAT HAGOS
KELTUN GASIM
FADWO HASSAN JIMALE
ADVISORS TO THE BOARD
PROGRAM ADVISORS
KALTUN HASSAN
ASMAHAN ABDESELAM HASSEN
GULEID AHMED JAMA
SABA GEBREMEDHIN HAGOS
DR. SARRA RASHEID AHMED ABDELWAHAB
ABDIFATAH HASSAN ALI
CECILIA DANIEL SURUR MUSA
ROSE BARYAMUTUMA
KADRA OMAR
CATHERINE NYAMBURA
PEACE T. KYAMUREKU
KATHERINE DONAHUE
DR. LYN OSSOME
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
OUR WORK WAS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
We sincerely thank our development partners for the generous support that made our 2023 interventions possible. Your commitment to advancing gender equality and human rights enabled us to deliver impactful programs across the Greater Horn of Africa. In a year marked by heightened insecurity and humanitarian need, your partnership was also invaluable in helping us sustain the delivery of essential services to survivors of sexual and gender based violence, amplify marginalized voices, and strengthen regional advocacy for the rights of women and girls.
TO HELP US CONTINUE MAKING A DIFFERENCE, DONATE HERE https://sihanet.org/support-us/ OR SCAN THE QR CODE
