Rights by Design: Building a Regional Movement for Human Rights Acts in Oceania: Women Deliver 2026 Conference (WD2026)
ALHR was honoured to host a panel, “Rights by Design: Building a Regional Movement for Human Rights Acts in Oceania” at the Women Deliver 2026 Conference (WD2026), a major global gender equality summit held in Narrm (Melbourne), from April 27–30, 2026. The event brought together experts for a conversation about how, across Oceania, feminist and First Nations advocates are imagining a region where human rights are lived realities, not distant promises. The panel was inspired by research by Rahkel Mercy, looked at the work of communities on the ground in Fiji, and found that it is important to prioritise local leadership and community ownership of sustainability projects, so that priorities and realities can align to government objectives.
We also heard from Kavita Naidu in relation to her enormous work in the climate and human rights space, while Helen Dalley Fisher AM and Trinity Ford spoke about what a Human Rights Act might achieve in New South Wales, as well as the role of civil society in helping communities to fill gaps in human rights.
ALHR President Nicholas Stewart moderated the panel.
This excellent event highlighted the need for ongoing discussion about what can be done to create a regional strategy for advancing Human Rights Acts and the development of pathways for collective advocacy that strengthen protections against gender-based violence, climate injustice, and systemic discrimination.
ALHR is immensely grateful to our Women and Girls Rights Subcommittee, including Dr Jane Alver, Dr Amira Aftab, Associate Professor Dr Tania Penovic and Helen Dalley Fisher AM for their enormous work on behalf of ALHR.