Galvanizing Women’s Leadership: Charter for Change Working Group Uganda, Organizes Groundbreaking Women In Humanitarian Leadership Summit

The Women in Humanitarian Leadership Summit (WHLS) took place on November 26, 2024, at Hotel Africana in Kampala, Uganda. The event, themed “Galvanising Women’s Leadership in Humanitarian Development, Peace (HDP) Nexus and Influencing Decision-Making Spaces,” aimed to amplify women’s roles in leadership and showcase their contributions to humanitarian response.

Organized by The Charter for Change (C4C) Working Group Uganda, and Supported by 09 Signatories ( CARE International Uganda, DCA Uganda, CRS Uganda, Oxfam International Uganda, Plan International
Uganda, World Vision Uganda, Save the Children Uganda, Street Child Uganda, Finn Church Aid Uganda) the summit brought together a diverse group of participants, including women-led humanitarian organizations, government officials, UN agencies, donor agencies, and members of the diplomatic community.

The event kicked off with a keynote address by a renowned humanitarian leader, who emphasized the importance of women’s leadership in humanitarian response. The speaker noted that women are often the first responders in humanitarian crises, mobilizing resources and capacity to support the most vulnerable in their communities.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, focusing on critical issues facing women-led humanitarian organizations in Uganda. These included disaster response preparedness, partnerships, anticipatory action, and the integration of humanitarian and development efforts.

One of the key objectives of the summit was to promote the mentoring of young women to strengthen their capacity to participate in leadership and decision-making. To achieve this, the organizers facilitated a mentorship session, where experienced humanitarian leaders shared their experiences and offered guidance to young women.

The summit also provided a platform for women-led humanitarian organizations to showcase their work and share their experiences. Participants had the opportunity to learn from each other, share best practices, and establish new partnerships and collaborations.

The Women in Humanitarian Leadership Summit (WHLS) was a resounding success, providing a platform for women’s voices to be heard and their contributions to humanitarian response to be recognized.

The event reinforced the importance of collective responsibility and accountability in advancing gender equality and promoting women’s leadership in humanitarian development.