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July 10, 2025 · 3 min read

TGEU webinar series: UN advocacy for trans rights

Trans activists practically learning on using UN mechanisms during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva 2025

Are you a trans activist from Central Asia, the Caucasus or Eastern Europe? want to use international tools to advocate for your community’s rights? Join our online training series focused on practical strategies for engaging with the United Nations human rights system.

Build your advocacy power

This five-part webinar series is designed to empower trans activists, particularly those from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus (EECAC) region, with the knowledge and skills to engage meaningfully with UN mechanisms. We’ll explore real-life strategies and tools for using international advocacy to improve the lives of trans people on the ground.

  • Format: Online (Zoom)
  • Duration: 90–100 minutes per session
  • Languages: Russian (with simultaneous English interpretation)
register now

Empowering trans activists across the region

Through this webinar series, we aim to strengthen the capacity of trans activists and advocates from Central Asia, the Caucasus and Eastern Europe to effectively engage with UN human rights mechanisms by providing practical knowledge, tools, and strategies for impactful international advocacy.

These webinars will help you:

  • Understand key UN mechanisms relevant to human rights of trans people, including the UPR, Special Procedures, and Treaty Bodies
  • Build practical skills for submitting communications, drafting shadow reports, and developing SMART recommendations and oral statements
  • Plan strategically for UN engagement that fits your country’s context and your group’s priorities
  • Connect and collaborate with other trans activists across the region to support shared learning and advocacy

What you’ll learn (and when)

Please note: the schedule and topics may change based on the needs of participants. 

 UPR Advocacy
Thursday, 17 July 2025 | 11:00 CET

  • Overview of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
  • Key trends in trans-related recommendations
  • Practical tips for Geneva-based and in-country advocacy

Special Procedures
Thursday, 18 September 2025 | 11:00 CET

    • How to engage with Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups
    • Key mandates: Independent Expert on SOGI, Special Rapporteur  on Health, Working Group on Discrimination Against Women, Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women
    • Hands-on practice: submitting individual cases

    Treaty Bodies – Part I
    Tuesday, 30 September 2025 | 11:00 CET

      • Focus on the Human Rights Committee (HRCtee) and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)
      • Review of recommendations, shadow reporting
      • Strategy discussion: how to use these bodies effectively

      Treaty Bodies – Part II
      Thursday, 9 October 2025 | 11:00 CET

        • Focus on the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Committee against Torture (CAT)
        • Shadow report practices and recommendations
        • Group work: identifying advocacy opportunities

        Advocacy Skills Workshop
        Thursday, 30 October 2025 | 11:00 CET

          • Formulating SMART recommendations
          • Drafting questions for the states
          • Practising impactful oral statements at the United Nations (UN)

          About the trainer

          Kseniya Kirichenko (she/her) is an international human rights lawyer, legal researcher, and intersectional feminist with over 20 years of experience in human rights advocacy, litigation, policy analysis, legal aid, and community organising. Kseniya has worked with UN human rights mechanisms to advance SOGIESC rights since 2009, most recently leading the UN Programme at ILGA World. She has authored numerous submissions to UN human rights bodies, as well as reports and practical guides on using UN mechanisms in SOGIESC and trans advocacy. Kseniya has led cases before UN treaty bodies and published articles on the subject in legal journals.

          Book your spot

          This series is free and open to trans activists and advocates based in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe. No prior experience with UN mechanisms is required — just a commitment to learning and engaging in collective advocacy.

          register now

          Please note: We reserve the right to decline participation without further explanation.

          If you have questions, contact Vanya Solovey at vanya@tgeu.org