2025 was A Year of Resilience, Reach, and Re-imagining Leadership at HERS-EA

Reflecting on a "subtly busy" 2025 and paving the way for a transformative 2026

As we bid farewell to 2025 and stand on the threshold of a new year, we recall the wisdom of Winston Churchill: "The farther back you can look, the farther forward you can see." For HERS-EA, looking back reveals a year defined by strategic pivots, international milestones, and a deepening commitment to women’s leadership across East Africa.

We invite you to join us as we reflect on the lessons of the past 12 months and step intentionally into the opportunities of 2026.

Q1: Foundations and Financial Fortitude

The year began with a rigorous "house-cleaning" phase. In January, we focused on strategic alignment and re-energising our partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Uganda. The sudden shifts that followed provided our first major lesson of the year: the vital importance of diversifying funding. As we navigated these changes, our mantra became clear: Only a ‘bird in hand’ matters.

In February, our focus shifted to the "Tuseme" empowerment model, a collaborative project with FAWE and ACER UK designed to support education in refugee and IDP settlements across Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda. A week in Addis Ababa culminated in a landmark MOU with the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences to host the HERS-EA Ethiopia Chapter.

March saw HERS-EA on the global stage, co-hosting a virtual parallel event during the UN Committee on the Status of Women (CSW69) alongside Makerere University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Q2: Advocacy and Institutional Growth

By April, our focus turned to succession and sustainability. We formalised our Uganda Chapter office at Gulu University. Under the leadership of Dr Beatrice Arwenyo and Judith Awacorach, we began the vital work of tightening our alumni network and logistical frameworks.

In May, we hosted a powerful Male Allyship workshop, featuring Prof. Teketel Yohannes. This annual fixture remains a cornerstone of our mission, providing a dedicated space for men to explore their roles in supporting women's leadership.

The mid-year period was marked by both sombre reflection and significant achievement. In June, we honoured the legacies of Professor Sarah Nahyuha and Mr Jassy Kwesiga, whose untimely passings deeply affected our community. Despite these losses, the team regrouped to finalise the Eighth Academy.

Q3: Triumphs Amidst Transition

July remains our "climax month." After a whirlwind tour of partner universities, including Uganda Christian University, Kyambogo University, Clarke International University, Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), and Bishop Stuart University, we launched the Eighth Academy. The energy was infectious, resulting in an immediate offer from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) to host our next Academy gathering.

August was a month of intellectual "icing on the cake." We hosted packed workshops on Grant Writing and Academic Publishing, while our Executive Director travelled to South Africa as a keynote speaker for HERS-SA. Most notably, we celebrated the release of our new book: Re-imagining Women Leadership Through Inclusive Community Engagement

Q4: Global Engagement and Governance

The final quarter of the year took HERS-EA from the UK to the USA. From presenting research at the Engagement Scholarship Consortium in Virginia to attending the HEPI conference in Liverpool, we continued to elevate East African perspectives on gender parity in higher education.

We closed the year in December with a strong stand against Digital Violence during the UN’s 16 Days of Activism through a webinar and online campaigns, and a high-profile virtual book launch hosted by the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences, and moderated by Dr Sehin Teferra, Founder of Setaweet Movement.

Looking Ahead: Your 2026 Roadmap

We aren't just starting a new year; we are building a movement. We invite you to be part of the following milestones (additional events with dates will be shared in due course):

Save the Dates

• Feb 13: Valentine’s Webinar: "Beyond the Myth" (4:00 – 7:00 PM)

• March 13: International Women’s Day Celebration

• May 15: Male Allyship Workshop

• July 13–17: The Ninth HERS-EA Leadership Academy, which will be hosted by Mbarara University of Science and Technology

• July 27–31: Post-Academy Professional Workshops

How to Get Involved

1. Share Your Story: Send us your career wins, challenges, and success stories.

2. Spread the Word: Registration for the Ninth Academy opens January 2026. Talk to your colleagues and refer potential participants to info@hersea.org.

Here is to a year of intentional growth and collective success. Welcome to 2026!