Attending the 56th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council has deeply impacted my perspective on international advocacy. As part of the Young Women for Awareness, Agency, Advocacy, and Accountability (YW4A) programme, I had the unique opportunity, through Equality Now, to facilitate and witness firsthand the power of young women’s voices in shaping global human rights agendas.
The Human Rights Council (HRC) is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide. It addresses human rights violations and makes recommendations to various actors. The Council is comprised of 47 UN member states elected by the General Assembly and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Building Advocacy Capacity and Leadership
On joining the YW4A programme in November 2021, I was introduced to its four interconnected pathways: strengthening the advocacy capacity of women’s rights organisations (WROs), enhancing young women’s leadership, transforming social norms, and influencing legal and policy reforms. These pathways were not simply theoretical constructs, but actionable strategies that guided our interventions at multiple levels. The programme’s emphasis on developing young women’s knowledge and leadership skills is important, as we engaged them in rigorous training sessions where they learned how civil society organisations engage effectively in collective action and decision-making processes with multiple UN mechanisms, ensuring that their voices were amplified at all levels.
Engaging in International Legal Advocacy
The pinnacle of our journey of engagement at HRC 56 was meeting with different advocacy targets. Young women from Egypt and Palestine, coming from diverse backgrounds and bringing fresh, innovative perspectives to advocacy, were able to leverage their unique experiences and insights. Their digital fluency and creative approaches often lead to more inclusive solutions as they challenge traditional norms, and drive forward-thinking solutions in human rights, ensuring policies resonate with younger generations. Moreover, these advocacy meetings were also an opportunity to learn and further understand how the UN human rights architecture functions and what are its current priorities.
Involving young people, especially young women in international advocacy promotes intergenerational equity. It ensures that young people have a say in the policies that will shape their lives, rather than being passive recipients of decisions made by older generations. This inclusion helps bridge generational gaps and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for global issues, encouraging cooperation across age groups.
During the week-long engagement, I had the privilege of attending specific HRC sessions and side events with the young women. Seeing governments negotiate draft human rights resolutions and civil society organizations shape critical conversations was an enlightening experience for myself and the young women. It underscored the importance of our presence in these international platforms to ensure gender-sensitive perspectives were prominently featured in global human rights discussions and decisions.
Most importantly, it was a unique opportunity for young women to understand the local, regional, and international dynamics that shape processes and agendas at the HRC level. We engaged in reflection sessions to critically analyse key stakeholders and power structures and map potential allies and opponents. We incorporated historical influences, current trends, and potential future developments during this process – all critical processes for more significant impact and effectiveness.
Balqees Shaheen, (26 years) from Palestine shared,
“My engagement with the HRC honed my advocacy skills as I practiced advocating for some of my country’s most critical issues. I have also become more aware of different countries’ diverse human rights challenges.”
Meeting with advocacy targets and networking with human rights advocates, such as Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, and Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, and a representative from the office of the Special Rapporteur for the Sale and Exploitation of Children – was particularly inspiring. Their insights and encouragement reinforced the importance of our work and motivated us to continue pushing for meaningful change. Young women and the YW4A partners also had the opportunity to meet with Lieke Brand, a Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative in Geneva, to showcase the programme’s successes and highlight the need to continue investing in programmes such as the YW4A.
Omnia Swedan (29 years) from Egypt shared,
“Participating in the HRC has been transformative for my advocacy work. I will cascade this experience to my colleagues to ensure that information and skills are disseminated. Additionally, I will classify international advocacy mechanisms as a high priority in my advocacy plan.”
The Power of Representation and Solidarity
One of the most profound moments of the week was witnessing the power of representation and solidarity. Young Palestinian women in our group wore their national attire and shared their stories of resilience and advocacy. Their courage and determination were contagious, inspiring all of myself and their fellow young women to stand firm in our commitment to gender justice.
This sense of global solidarity was a powerful reminder that our struggles and aspirations are interconnected. By participating in these platforms, we not only bring our unique perspectives but also contribute to a collective movement toward respect for human rights and inclusivity.
Raghad Adwan, (26 years) from Palestine reflected,
“I hope to see more young women allowed to have similar opportunities, and I truly hope our advocacy efforts pay off in the upcoming months through everyone we have met with.”
Success Stories and Future Directions
The success stories emerging from the YW4A programme testify to its effectiveness. Young women trained by the program have taken on leadership roles, successfully advocated for policy changes at national and regional levels, and initiated community development interventions. These achievements highlight the programme’s potential to create lasting change.
Suad Khleif, (26 years) from Palestine shared,
“After my time at the HRC, I hope to address GBV in Palestine and women’s economic empowerment. These issues are fundamental to achieving gender equality and protecting women’s human rights. They also help create a more just and equitable society, benefiting not only women but entire communities.”
Looking ahead, the YW4A Programme is devising a sustainability plan to expand its reach and enhance its impact. Future plans include scaling up successful models, leveraging technology for wider outreach, and strengthening partnerships with governments and private sector stakeholders. The programme aims to build long-term capacities within local communities and organisations, ensuring the sustainability of its initiatives.
Passainte Beshay (29 years) from Egypt remarked,
“As a young woman involved in international legal advocacy, I believe our perspectives challenge traditional approaches and ensure issues like gender-based violence are addressed. Our involvement in shaping international law promotes gender equality and long-term sustainability and holding decision-makers accountable.”
Conclusion
My experience at HRC56 was a powerful reminder of the potential young women hold when given the opportunity and support to lead. The YW4A programme, emphasising intersectionality, inclusion, and solidarity, is paving the way for young women to challenge systemic inequalities and drive meaningful change at multiple levels.
In a world where young women and adolescent girls often find their voices marginalized, the program stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment. By providing platforms, resources, and support, Equality Now and the YW4A programme partners ensure that young women’s voices are heard and instrumental in shaping the discourse and actions of the international community.
As the programme continues to engage with international advocacy platforms, we are advancing our rights and contributing to a global movement for justice and equality. The future of human rights advocacy is bright, with young women leading the way, transforming their communities, and shaping the world for generations to come.
Written by Paleki Ayang, Equality Now – MENA Gender Advisor.
Paleki is a Gender expert with practical experience in activism and advocacy on Women, Peace, and Security and law reform in South Sudan and the MENA region. Passionate about women’s empowerment and skilled in Human Rights Law, Transitional Justice, and Peacebuilding with over 12 years of experience in Fundraising, Organizational Management & Leadership.
This article is part of the YW4A Technical Point of View (PoV) series, a collection of technical analytical and strategy reflection articles from YW4A programme staff, consultants, advocates, and allies with expertise in various aspects of programming that facilitate young women’s leadership and contribute to the elimination of SGBV.
Link up with, engage with, and follow Paleki on LinkedIn and X.
