The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, invites applications for a two-day residential capacity-building training on litigating sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) claims before national and regional mechanisms in Africa. The training will be held for two days (Thursday, 3 September, 4 September 2026) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Centre for Human Rights will cover the costs associated with successful candidates’ participation in the training, including an economy-class ticket, accommodation, visa, meals while in Pretoria, and airport pick-up and drop-off. Participants will be required to arrive at the venue of the training (in Pretoria) on 2 September, attend the training on 3 and 4 September, and depart on Saturday, 5 September 2026.
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About the training
This training forms part of the Centre for Human Rights’ ongoing programme of strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocacy, accountability and strategic litigation across Africa. Building on previous engagements with civil society organisations, legal practitioners, community advocates and human rights defenders on SRHR norms, accountability mechanisms and access to justice, the Centre has identified a persistent gap in the litigation of SRHR claims before national and regional adjudicatory bodies.
While awareness of SRHR standards has increased, significant barriers remain in translating these standards into effective legal action. This is particularly evident in cases involving vulnerable and marginalised groups whose rights continue to be inadequately protected in law and practice. These include women and girls, adolescents and young people, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ persons, sex workers, people living in rural and underserved communities, and other groups experiencing intersecting forms of discrimination.
The training is therefore designed as a capacity-building intervention that moves beyond awareness raising towards practical litigation skills. It seeks to strengthen participants’ ability to identify strategic cases, develop litigation strategies, utilise domestic and regional human rights mechanisms, and support the implementation of decisions and remedies.
Application requirements and procedure
Participants must be legal practitioners, public interest litigators, civil society organisations, community-based organisations, human rights defenders, researchers, and adjudicators who are currently engaged in SRHR-related litigation advocacy, case identification, litigation, legal support, case implementation monitoring or adjudication of SRHR-related matters.
Participants are required to show how the training can capacitate them and their organisations, and strengthen the litigation work that they do and what the impact of the training would be on their organisation and community. Please note that there are limited spaces available.
Submit your application on or before 1 Junly 2026.
Applicants will be informed of their selection by Monday, 17 July 2026.
For more information, please contact:
