Following a successful kickoff event in March 2025, the second peer-learning webinar on promoting women’s rights at the local level took place earlier this week. This webinar series is part of our partnership and collaboration with the African Local Government Network (UCLG Africa) through its Academy for Local Governance (ALGA) and the Network of local elected Women of Africa (REFELA).
Under the title “Prevention of Gender-Based Violence,” a collegial exchange took place regarding best practices, challenges, and conditions for a proactive approach to gender-based violence at the local level. Best practices include central contact points for victims or survivors of gender-based violence that offer medical, forensic, psychosocial, and legal services, as well as the option to remove perpetrators in cases of domestic violence while allowing victims to remain in their familiar environment. The experts agreed that women still need to be informed about their rights and entitlements and should be empowered to exercise these rights. Key challenges include cultural stereotypes that intimidate and discourage victims, as well as structural and economic inequalities that lead to women’s poverty or economic dependency, and a lack of trust in authorities and law enforcement.
A total of 23 participants from 14 countries (including Uganda, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Rwanda, Kenya, Morocco, and Austria) registered for the second webinar. Speakers included city councilor Uli Taberhofer and expert Dr. Barbara Jauk as representatives from Graz, as well as politicians Milka Moraa Areba from Kenya and Jeannette Nyiramasengesho from Rwanda.
The third and this year’s final peer-learning webinar will take place on October 29 from 12 to 2 PM on the topic of Inclusion through Sports. Registration is already possible via the following link.
