Since its launch in 2021, the We Lead program has empowered communities of action and rightsholder groups to advocate for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) across diverse regions. Central to this work has been the leadership and participation of young women, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups.
As the program evolved, it became increasingly clear that many of these rightsholders, communities of action and We Lead staff faced significant safety and security challenges in the course of their advocacy. Through a combination of needs assessments, field visits, safety and security training, capacity building sessions, and direct feedback from implementing partners, several critical security gaps were identified, including:
- Limited knowledge and skills in digital and physical security
- Inadequate access to trauma-informed response tools and support systems
- A lack of youth-friendly, context-specific safety protocols
- Insufficient preparedness for handling emergency situations such as arrests, threats, or harassment
To address these urgent needs, the We Lead program, in partnership with the Women Human Rights Defenders Hub (Kenya), designed and delivered a series of Safety and Security Training courses between 2022 and 2025. These courses were grounded in the lived experiences of rightsholders and enriched by the expertise of experienced facilitators and partners.
The outcome of this collaborative and participatory process is the We Lead Safety and Security Training Manual. This manual is a practical, rights-based, and contextually relevant resource aimed at equipping young women and their allies with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to protect themselves and continue their critical work safely.
