April 23–24, 2026 – Esella Hotel
The Women Human Rights Defenders Network–Uganda (WHRDN-U) convened a powerful two-day counselling and social enterprise training for invisible Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) from suspended organizations. The initiative aimed to restore hope, provide psychosocial support, and equip participants with practical tools for financial resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Day One: Healing Through Counselling
The opening session, led by WHRDN-U Team Lead Brenda Kugonza, encouraged participants to embrace the safe space for healing and solidarity. Madam Ruth Matoya from Healing Talk Counselling Services facilitated group psychosocial support, guiding WHRDs through reflective conversations on loss, trauma, and resilience.
Participants shared deeply personal experiences of anxiety, grief, and identity loss following organizational suspensions. Through exercises connecting emotional pain to physical sensations, they realized how trauma manifests in the body. The session emphasized intentional living, holistic self-care, and reclaiming one’s voice.
One participant reflected, “I have learnt that grief is ok as long as it’s normal and manageable.” Another added, “This session helped me realize I have been living in survival mode. Now I need to slow down and prioritize my wellbeing.”
Day Two: Building Financial Resilience Through Social Enterprise
The second day, facilitated by Dr. Joyce Tamale of Capital Solutions Limited, focused on entrepreneurship as a pathway to resilience. Under the theme “Appreciating Entrepreneurship for Financial Resilience,” WHRDs explored mindset change, intrapreneurship, and the “5 D’s” of financial resilience—Discipline, Death, Divorce, Debt, and Disease.
Dr. Tamale emphasized the importance of starting small, adopting a growth mindset, and aligning business ventures with social impact. Participants brainstormed enterprises addressing issues such as gender-based violence, unemployment, menstrual poverty, and child neglect.
One inspiring example was the proposal to establish day care centers offering counselling support for neglected children. Others shared lived experiences of running small businesses, highlighting both successes and challenges.
Key Lessons and Action Points
Over the next six months, WHRDs committed to:
- Testing small-scale business ideas with minimal resources.
- Strengthening personal and business branding.
- Leveraging networks and community assets for growth.
- Practicing structured time management to balance employment and entrepreneurship.
The training reinforced the need to shift from donor dependency to market-oriented thinking, embrace resilience, and build sustainable ventures that respond to real community needs.
Conclusion
This two-day initiative provided WHRDs not only with therapeutic healing but also with entrepreneurial skills to reimagine their futures. By combining psychosocial support with social enterprise training, WHRDN-U continues to strengthen the resilience of women defenders navigating uncertainty, ensuring they remain empowered voices for justice and equality.
Pictorial of the workshop
