Reflections from the University of Miami’s Human Rights in the Americas Symposium
By Saba Ghori, Center for Global Rights for Women at BWJP In November 2025, I had the privilege of representing…
Reflections from the University of Miami’s Human Rights in the Americas Symposium
By Saba Ghori, Center for Global Rights for Women at BWJP
In November 2025, I had the privilege of representing the Center for Global Rights for Women (GRW) at BWJP at the University of Miami’s Human Rights in the Americas Symposium, a week-long gathering of human rights leaders, scholars, and advocates from across the Western Hemisphere. Held from November 16–21, the convening brought together commissioners from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), legal experts, grassroots organizers, philanthropists, and community leaders committed to strengthening justice and human rights throughout the Americas.
We were also joined by BWJP’s CEO, Amy Sanchez, and Rosie Hidalgo, Co-Director of the Mosaic Initiative, whose participation underscored the importance of cross-regional learning and collaborative strategies to address gender-based violence, survivor justice, and democratic resilience.
Cross-Regional Dialogue and Shared Learning
Sessions throughout the week examined urgent issues—democratic backsliding, gender justice, migration, racial inequity, environmental rights, and violence against women. What stood out was the diversity of perspectives: commissioners offering insights from their monitoring work, legal scholars unpacking structural barriers, and community leaders sharing realities often overlooked in policy spaces.
The convening underscored why it is so important for regional organizations like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)—an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS)—to be in dialogue with academics, advocates, and community leaders. Bringing these voices together created space to examine the human rights challenges facing the hemisphere, especially amid the rise of authoritarianism, and to collectively explore strategies for strengthening democratic institutions and protecting the rights of those most at risk.
Being part of a convening anchored in these regional systems was especially meaningful given my early career at the U.S. Department of State, where I worked on the annual Human Rights Reports and first learned the importance of documentation and truth-telling in promoting human rights.
Opening Night with Ken Roth
The symposium opened with an inspiring conversation with Ken Roth, former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. His reflections on accountability, courage, and the evolution of the human rights movement resonated deeply with me. Listening to him brought me back to my early career roots and reaffirmed the core principles that guide my work today—centering survivors, upholding truth, and strengthening protections for the most vulnerable.
Elevating GRW’s Leadership
Representing GRW throughout the week helped deepen our organization’s visibility among regional partners while reinforcing our leadership in global women’s rights and gender-based violence advocacy.
A highlight was contributing recommendations during the IACHR civil society hearing, where I joined other advocates in outlining priority areas for strengthening protections, improving justice pathways, and advancing survivor-centered approaches. This platform allowed GRW to demonstrate our expertise and commitment to accountability and working with justice system actors.
Learning from Miami’s Advocates
One of the most powerful sessions was a dialogue with Miami-based activists working on gender justice, homelessness, and family well-being. Their insights revealed sobering trends:
• Families with children have faced a 23.9% increase in homelessness in Miami.
• Nearly 1 in 4 homeless women became homeless due to gender-based violence.
• Shelter capacity remains limited, leaving survivors with few safe options.
• Cuts to SNAP and Medicaid are deepening poverty and instability for vulnerable families.
This discussion was a reminder that the issues we often frame as “global”—violence, displacement, economic insecurity—are also unfolding within American cities. The parallels between Miami’s challenges and those faced by communities across the Americas were striking and underscored the need for integrated, survivor-centered solutions.
Connecting with Brisa de Angulo
Another highlight was meeting Brisa de Angulo, a passionate Bolivian human rights activist whose groundbreaking case before the IACHR challenged systemic failures to protect child survivors of sexual assault. Her courage reshaped regional jurisprudence and continues to inspire advocates across the hemisphere.
Brisa is now leading innovative work with judges to deepen understanding of how trauma affects the brain—a focus that strongly aligns with GRW’s expertise in trauma-informed justice. Her leadership is a powerful reminder of how individual resilience can catalyze institutional change.
A Renewed Commitment to Human Rights Across the Americas
Leaving Miami, I felt energized by the shared commitment of so many partners dedicated to advancing rights, strengthening institutions, and supporting survivors across the region. The symposium fostered space for honest dialogue, reflection, and vision-setting—exactly the environment that sustains and strengthens our global movement.
As BWJP and GRW continue our engagement with regional mechanisms like the IACHR, these connections and insights will shape our future advocacy, programs, and partnerships.
This convening reaffirmed something I have always believed: human rights work is global in scope, but driven by our own personal stories. The stories we heard—of violence, resilience, activism, and hope—reinforce why we do this work and the future we are determined to build.