As part of its advocacy mandate, HAGURUKA actively engages in international human rights mechanisms, including the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), where civil society organizations contribute independent assessments through shadow reporting.
In this context, HAGURUKA led a coalition of women’s rights organizations in preparing and submitting a shadow report to the 51st UPR Session, assessing Rwanda’s progress on previously accepted recommendations and identifying remaining gaps in the realization of women’s rights.
During Rwanda’s Fourth UPR Review, held on 21 January 2026 at the United Nations Office in Geneva, HAGURUKA contributed through advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring of human rights commitments, with particular emphasis on women and children’s rights.
The review highlighted Rwanda’s progress in legal reforms and access to justice while also identifying persistent challenges, including barriers to GBV services, gaps in mental health care, and difficulties affecting women in vulnerable situations, particularly in rural communities.
In addition to participating in the UPR session, HAGURUKA held strategic meetings with stakeholders including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and partners in Geneva. The organization also engaged with French counterparts from the Mission de la diplomatie féministe et de l’éducation to discuss the impact and sustainability of projects funded by the French Embassy in Rwanda, as well as opportunities for continued collaboration.
These engagements strengthened HAGURUKA’s international advocacy efforts, expanded partnerships, and enhanced its capacity to leverage UPR outcomes for national policy influence and continued promotion of gender equality and human rights.