Bahá’í Community of Uganda

The Bahá’í House of Worship stands among Uganda’s seven wonders, a peaceful hilltop sanctuary in Kampala, known for its unique architecture, serene gardens, and spiritual significance welcoming all people worldwide. #ExploreUganda @MTWAUganda @ExploreUganda

Today, the Bahá’í House of Worship was among the notable sites visited as different stakeholders came together to explore places of significance across Kampala. The visit highlighted the unique role of the House of Worship as a space of serenity, reflection, and worship, and its contribution to Uganda’s cultural and spiritual landscape. #BahaiUg #ExploreUganda #SevenWondersOfUg #EkkulaAt10

« Une Maison d’adoration bahá’íe est un lieu de prière, de méditation et de recueillement ouvert à tous. » Alors que le projet de construction de la Maison d’adoration bahá’íe du Canada bat son plein, nous nous penchons sur la vocation de ce temple, sur ce qu’il représente et sur la source d’inspiration qu’il constituera pour d’innombrables personnes. #templebahaicanada #canada #maisondadoration

#CSW70 #BahaiUg

We were pleased to meet H.E. Dr. Maimoonah Al-Khalil, Secretary-General of the Family Affairs Council (@FAC_SA) and Head of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Delegation to #CSW70. We appreciated her thoughtful reflections on the Kingdom’s ongoing legislative and digital reforms to expand access to justice and support the empowerment of women. Echoing this spirit, the BIC’s statement to CSW70 highlighted the importance of continued, collective efforts to ensure that progress in legislation is accompanied by enduring social and cultural transformation—so that the principles of justice are increasingly reflected in everyday life for women and girls everywhere.

Naw-Rúz (meaning New Year) is a Bahá'í Holy Day, marking the end of the 19-day fasting period and the start of the Bahá'í year. This day is a symbol of nature’s renewal, and an occasion to celebrate hope and spiritual springtime. “Today is the day of Naw-Rúz and the beginning of the soul-stirring spring… it has become a symbol of the arrival of the divine springtime and a reminder of the renewal, regeneration, and transformation that is made possible in the human world…” -Universal House of Justice #BahaiUg #NawRuz #BahaiNewYear

It’s today. Don’t miss out! #BahaiUg #CSW70

How can gender equity and belonging be expressed in the workplace? This was the focus of a #CSW70 parallel event at the BIC offices. Co-hosted by @CanadaBahai and @UKBahaiOPA, the event brought together civil society, government representatives, and business leaders from across sectors. “The laws in our countries are strong on paper—but whose responsibility is it to ensure they are put into action?” asked Tamara Thermitus Ad. E., Lawyer and Consultant for the Diversity Institute. Speakers built on this question, sharing how their departments and organizations are encouraging ownership of equality laws across sectors. Gillian Unsworth, Deputy Director of the Women’s Equality Division at the UK Office for Equality and Opportunities, highlighted business action plans aimed at closing the gender wage gap. Mary Darling, Co-Founder and Executive Producer of WestWind Pictures, reflected on efforts to transform the culture of the media and film sector. Alison Marshall, CEO of Age International, emphasized the importance of intergenerational engagement for social and economic well-being, while Zarin Hainsworth, OBE, Chair of the UK Civil Society Women’s Alliance, underscored that creating flourishing workplaces is a shared responsibility across employees, employers, institutions, and young people. The conversation explored how strong partnerships are key to changing workplace cultures. Even as policies evolve, entrenched structures, uneven power dynamics, and unspoken norms continue to shape women’s experiences at work. Structural reform must be matched by cultural change—a shared recognition that everyone has both the right and the duty to contribute to the emergence of more equal social spaces. Only then can workplaces foster a true sense of justice and belonging for all. Grounded in lived experiences and grassroots initiatives, the discussion offered rich insights into how small-scale changes can transform organizations when embedded in their culture. @WAGE_FEGC @TorontoMetDI

“What does it take to build a culture of peace, when the world is moving so decidedly in the opposite direction?”, Doris Mpoumou @mpoumoudoris, Special Representative of UN Women to the African Union. The Bahá'í International Community was honored to participate in the “Women's Leadership: Advancing Disarmament, Justice and the Culture of Peace” parallel event held during #CSW70. The event brought together women peacebuilders, disarmament advocates, and civil society voices to explore the critical role women play in advancing a culture of peace. Grounded in the principles of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and UN Security Council Resolution 1325, conversations such as these highlight that lasting peace and gender equality are inseparable goals, and that women’s participation at every level of society is a prerequisite for peace. BIC Representative @LNkunzimana joined as a respondent, listening and echoing key concepts shared throughout the event. She closed the meeting with these words: “How do we ensure that people see they can make different choices that lead to peace? This is a responsibility we each hold at a personal level—in our homes, in our communities, and in the institutions that represent us."

The BIC and @lutheranworld convened an interfaith dialogue and fellowship space during #CSW70. It was a moment to pause, connect, and reflect amid the intensity of multilateral engagement. Bringing together faith-based organizations and interfaith partners, youth delegates, and grassroots practitioners in a welcoming environment for shared learning—grounded in solidarity, mutual respect, and spiritual reflection. The gathering drew strong connections between the moral commitment to gender equality and its realization, offering examples of how this commitment motivates diverse members of society united in a common endeavor.

At a #CSW70 roundtable hosted by the BIC Addis Ababa Office, participants explored the connections between power and justice and how both may need to be reimagined to advance gender equality across the African continent. One of the speakers, Carole Osero-Ageng'o, Board Chair of FEMNET @agengocarole, spoke about the idea that real power must be understood “as the ability to act together.” The Office’s representative to the African Union, @ShemonaMM, reflected on what progress can be made when justice is employed as a compass for collective decision-making, helping diverse communities build unity in thought and action. The group discussion then examined how societies can move away from paradigms of domination toward more constructive expressions of power—rooted in the meaningful participation of all. Participants concluded that insights from grassroots experiences show that justice is the practical expression of a deeper truth: individual and collective progress are inseparable.

As we come to the end of the first week of #CSW70, the Bahá’í International Community’s delegation has been honored to host, speak at, and attend a variety of events. Throughout these conversations, the delegation raised questions about justice in many spaces, including: How can there be a rise in the number of people and institutions worldwide who shoulder the work of justice in all its forms? What does justice look like across a range of social spaces—from the home to the workplace, within institutions, and at the international level? We look forward to continuing this engagement beyond CSW.

𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 #𝐂𝐒𝐖𝟕𝟎 ⚖️ Convened by @CrossroadsIntl, today’s discussion highlights the importance of community-driven solutions, adaptive leadership, and inclusive justice systems that place survivors, grassroots actors, and grassroots actors at the centre of sustainable responses to gender-based violence. 📍 Bahá’í International Community, New York 🗓 13 March 2026 🕤 9:30 – 11:00 AM EST | 4:30 – 6:00 PM EAT | Hybrid #CSW70 #JusticeForHer

🎉 Congratulations to our Executive Director Ms. Rita Hope Aciro-Lakor on receiving two recognition awards during this International Women’s Day 2026 in honor of her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing women’s rights and gender equality in Uganda. We celebrate your continued impact and congratulate you alongside the many other inspiring women who were recognized for championing change. 👏✨ #IWD2026 #IWD

Congratulations to our exceptional CEO, Ms. @AdrikoLillian, on receiving the Presidential International Women’s Day Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of her outstanding contribution to advancing justice, gender equality, and the rights of women and girls. 🌟 This recognition reflects not only her leadership but also the collective effort of the communities we serve and the dedicated staff of FIDA-Uganda. The constituencies we serve remain at the heart of our mission; they are the reason our work exists and continues to grow. 🤝 Over the years, her commitment has strengthened the legal fraternity and the broader women’s movement, expanding access to justice and advancing gender equality in meaningful ways. We acknowledge and honour all our valued partners for investing in our institution and the constituencies we serve. We appreciate the @GovUganda for recognising the role we play in advancing access to justice for women and girls. 🎉

We are pleased to share that the Baha’i International Community -Addis Ababa Office will be co-hosting a dialogue at the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women #CSW70 on dismantling trafficking networks through financial accountability and community-led prevention. Co-hosted with the Government of Uganda @MoGLSD, @NAWOUga, the Coalition to Stop Trafficking in Persons, and the Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women’s Association International, the event brings together global voices exploring justice, ethical leadership, and community action to address human trafficking. 📅 19 March 2026 🕗 8:15–9:45 PM (EAT) Scan the QR code on the poster to join. #BahaiUg #CSW70 #EndHumanTrafficking #Justice #GenderEquality

We convened with other members of the Domestic Violence Act Coalition to review our collective impact in 2025 and sharpen our strategy for 2026. Our focus on strengthening the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act remains clear. Stronger together. For every woman. #DVAC

Yesterday marked the conclusion of the four Regional Bahá’í Institutional Gatherings held at the National Bahá’í Centre, as the community prepares for the second phase of the Nine-Year Plan. The gatherings were convened by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Uganda and facilitated by two members of the Continental Board of Counsellors. #bahaiug

With #CSW70 around the corner, the Bahá’í International Community's delegation, from all regions of the world, is reflecting on the need for society as a whole to explore new ways to understand justice. When individuals, communities and institutions come together with the intent to re-imagine the concept of justice, an understanding can start to form around how each of these social actors are affected by current structures. Empathy grows, and a vision for collective progress can emerge. A deeper appreciation of the interconnectedness of the individual and their environments is gained. As the statement says, “True dignity cannot be fully realized in isolation but through meaningful participation in the community, where each individual contributes to and benefits from the collective well-being.” Read our full story: tinyurl.com/2s43w7uz The BIC's statement to #CSW70 can be read here: tinyurl.com/4ndb28ex

Today, UWONET joined fellow members of the Domestic Violence Act (DVA) Coalition to reflect on the Coalition's 2025 agenda and strategically plan impactful joint actions for 2026. Leveraging our shared strengths and collective action is key to advancing a united front to ending Gender Based Violence. #EndGBV #CollectiveAction #Solidarity