Reprendre possession de nos récits : la justice reproductive à travers un prisme afrocentrique

Du 24 au 29 mars 2025, Sonke Gender Justice et MenEngage Africa, dans le cadre du projet SRHR4All, ont accueilli avec succès le Reproductive Justice : Programme de renforcement des capacités pour faire progresser les droits à la santé sexuelle et reproductive et l’égalité des genres dans une optique afrocentrique à Kampala, en Ouganda. Ce programme de formation transformateur de cinq jours a été conçu pour donner aux jeunes défenseurs les connaissances, les compétences et les stratégies essentielles pour faire progresser les droits de l’homme et la santé sexuelle et reproductive à travers un cadre de justice reproductive ancré dans les principes afrocentriques. La formation a réuni des partenaires de SRHR4All du Malawi, d’Éthiopie et d’Ouganda.

“Le voyage vers une véritable justice reproductive en Afrique nécessite une compréhension profonde de nos paysages historiques, culturels et juridiques uniques. C’est sur cette base que le programme de formation transformateur de cinq jours, intitulé ​“La justice reproductive dans une perspective afrocentrique”, est construit”, déclare Jude Thaddius Njikem, spécialiste des droits sexuels et génésiques à Sonke.

Throughout the training, participants explored legal and cultural systems that influence reproductive justice in Africa. They gained the tools to think critically about laws and policies and to actively shape them. The workshop focused on key concepts, landmark theories, and proven legal strategies that respond directly to the realities African countries face today.

Justice is complex, it’s not only found in courtrooms. That’s why participants were trained in both formal and informal approaches to creating change. They learnt how to use strategic litigation to promote gender equality, prevent gender-based violence, and challenge laws and policies that hold communities back. This training also looked at how to ensure legal wins lead to real change in people’s lives.

“The significant shift is recognising that reproductive justice is a human rights issue, one that demands a holistic, intersectional approach that considers the social, economic, and cultural realities shaping people’s lives. I plan to actively engage African communities, not just as beneficiaries, but as co-creators of solutions to reproductive health and gender equality challenges”, said Masika Christine, Project assistant, United for children’s Inter-Development Action Uganda (UNCIDA) Uganda.

The workshop created space to explore new and culturally grounded ways of advocating reproductive justice. It emphasised the many forces that shape gender roles and relationships — like traditions, laws, government, civil society, the media, and families. True change means understanding how all these elements are connected. It also means addressing the bigger economic, political, and social pressures that impact people every day.

Participants were introduced to a holistic approach to tackling gender-based violence and SRHR, one that centers African perspectives. A key part of this work is engaging men as active allies and partners, not just as observers in building a more just and equal society.

The workshop created space to explore new and culturally grounded ways of advocating reproductive justice. It emphasised the many forces that shape gender roles and relationships — like traditions, laws, government, civil society, the media, and families. True change means understanding how all these elements are connected. It also means addressing the bigger economic, political, and social pressures that impact people every day.

Participants were introduced to a holistic approach to tackling gender-based violence and SRHR, one that centers African perspectives. A key part of this work is engaging men as active allies and partners, not just as observers in building a more just and equal society.