Advocacy, research, communication and networking for protection – Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda

Advocacy, research, communication and networking for protection of Women Human Rights Defenders

The advocacy program has multiple purposes including raising visibility of the violence and risks WHRDs face, mobilizing solidarity to increase protection for WHRDs at risk, valuing WHRDs work and activism. Our advocacy actions at national, regional and international levels, will make the voices of WHRDs heard at all levels. This will in turn ensure that human rights protection mechanisms and initiatives address WHRDs’ situations and promote their integrated protection.

The program interventions include;

Research and documentation; We document cases and gather information in order to generate gender focused information and analysis against women defenders.
Building and Strengthening regional protective networks for WHRDs; Given the context of exclusion, discrimination & gender inequality experienced by WHRDs that many WHRDs do not have strong safety networks to rely on in the face of these risks. The Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U) focuses its work on building and promoting safety networks for WHRDs operating in different regional (rural grass root communities) in Uganda. The regional protective WHRD networks have been created in Northern, Western, Eastern and Southern regions of Uganda.
We engage in communication to support advocacy, dialogue, rapid response and encourage solidarity when in the face of attacks against WHRDs in Uganda, thereby contributing to their protection.
Publish statements related to protection of WHRDs aimed at national, regional and international authorities
Advocacy on policy by engaging with lawmakers and policy makers to gain support for conducive gender responsive policies to the protection of WHRDs in Uganda.
Networking and Partnerships is a key aspect of Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda’s advocacy is creation of networks and linkages with stakeholders and other actors.
Media and communications, through engagement with media personnel, electronic media, our website and social media platforms. These are important tools to reach and sensitize the public.

Snapshots of the launch of WHRDN-U, 29th November, 2018

Photos at the launch of the WHRDN-U Jointly with the UN Office on Human Rights, members of the Diplomatic Missions, UN Women graced the event on 29th November 2018.

: Photo moment with all partners and Women Human Rights Defenders

: Participants receive their certificates

: Opening Remarks from the Office Of The Human Rights Uganda representative Mr Robert Ayeda Kotchani

: Panel discussion on the different challenges Women Human Rights Defenders face in their line of work

Snapshots of the networking event on 6th march, 2019.

This event was in commemoration of women’s day and event that is for 8th march annually. Some of the WHRDs sharing their experiences of threats, risks and vulnerabilities they faced due to their human rights work and after WHRDs pose for a group photo after the networking event on 6th March, 2019.

: Regional Representatives of the Women Human Rights Defenders Network. (Acholi, Karamoja & Albertine Region)

: Mr.Fedelis of Frontline Defenders speaks to Women Human Rights Defenders as Mr.Javier of the UN Office of Human Rights listens in.

: Mr Anthony Masake of Chapter facilitating a session, at the networking meeting.

Snapshots of the commemoration of the day of the WHRDs 29th November, 2019

: A group photo of women human rights defenders together with Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U) steering committee and secretariat at the commemoration of the International Women Human rights Day on 29th November, 2019.

: The 3 Founder members and the Chairperson of the WHRDN-U were awarded in recognition of their resilience and work towards protecting Women Human Rights Defenders on 29th November 2019-Day of Women Human Rights Defenders

: Damalie Mukhaye a female journalist who faced false allegations and intimidations from the security officials while covering the Makerere University # feesmustfall protests shares her experience with the WHRDs during the commemoration of the Day of the WHRDs on 29th November, 2019.

: Miriam Mwiza, a woman human rights defender who has faced many threats from different organisations and state actors in defending human rights of trafficked girls and women shares her experiences with the WHRDS during the commemoration of the Day of the WHRDs on 29th November, 2019

: Amina, a woman defender, gives testimony of threats she experienced in her work of defending land rights in Mbale district, at the commemoration event on 29th November, 2019.

: Jenepher, a woman defender, gives testimony of threats she experienced in her work of denouncing human rights violation actions of oil extraction projects and her campaign for advocating for fair compensation of communities affected by oil extractive companies in Albertine region, at the commemoration event on 29th November, 2019

: Brenda Kugonza, Executive director WHRDN-U explaining to the deputy ambassador of Norway in Uganda about the different areas of work that the network and the WHRDs who are part of the network engage in.

: Mr. Sanjuan Javier, of The Office of the United National High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Rights, in his remarks noted the commitment of OHCHR’s support and maintain Collaboration with WHRDN-U

Snapshots of the media engagements

: On 31st October, 2020, the Executive Director of WHRDN-U hosted for a talk show on Channel 44 to discuss the work environment affecting women human rights defenders operate.

: On 4th November, 2019, young women defenders led by a re-known young woman human trafficking activist and the executive director of Overseas Workers Voice held a press conference at Life’s Garden’s at Mawanda Road in Kampala. The aim of the press conference was to discuss how the police is fueling Human Trafficking in Uganda hence hindering justice from prevailing.

National networking through participation in various fora/ events and recognition by partners

Snapshots of the policy advocacy at National, Regional and International Level

: On 14 November, 2019, the Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Uanda Rt Hon Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga hosted Women Human Right Defenders Network secretariat, the United nations Human Rights, UN Women and the United Nation’s resident coordinator, Rosa Malango and other WHRDs at parliament.

: On 23rd October, 2019, Our Executive Director, Brenda Kugonza, participated in consultation meeting in Addis Ababa with United Nations Human Rights working group on violence against women in law and practice on the situation of women human rights defenders in East Africa.

: With support from anoonymous American organisation, on 9th-11th December, 2019, Brenda Kugonza, the Executive Director, WHRDN-U was honored to join Urgent Action Fund for the launch of the African-Feminist Republik platform for the Women Human Rights Defenders in Naivasha-Kenya. It was a great platform on the African continent.

: We were honored to have participated in the opening of the 41st session of Human Rights Council in Geneva on 24th June, 2019. Brenda Kugonza represented the WHRDN-U at this occasion

: On 14th June, 2019, Brenda Kugonza, our Executive Director, was one of the panelists during the Human Rights Defenders Annual Forum, organized by Human Rights Center Uganda. She gave highlights of the situation of Women Human Rights Defenders in Uganda.

Snapshots of networking events

: On 25 September, 2019, Brenda Kugonza and Elizabeth Cherekut participated in ACFODE National Conference at Protea Hotel. They had great discussions on Build up to 2021 elections-strategizing to mitigate violence against women participating in the electoral processes in Uganda.

: On 16th September, 2019 WHRDN-u was glad to participate in the UN Women’s validation meeting on the Status of the Women’s Movement Study in Uganda, the findings of the study underscore the important role of the movement , highlighted the challenges and recommended the need to provide protection for women’s movement.

: On 10th October, 2019, the WHRDN-U secretariat was honored to host at our Offices in Bukoto, Mr Robert Ayeda Kotchani, the Country Representative of Office of the United Nations High Commission of Human Rights and Mr Andrew Akuttu.

: On 22nd October, 2019, WHRDN-U participated in the Annual sex worker’s dialogue that was organised by AWAC. The dialogue provided space to understand female sex workers and their issues. The WHRDN-U shared basic protection and safety tips for women defenders protecting rights of female sex workers.

: On 2nd October, 2019, WHRDN-U had a fruitful interaction with Johanna and Mirjam of DW Akademie. The interaction was about the Women@ Web project on strengthening women’s online participation, presence and creating awareness on online harassment against women

: WHRDN-U’s Executive Director, Brenda Kugonza participated in a three days Uganda women’s movement building training that was organized by UN Women at Imperial Golf View hotel Entebbe. The training took place from 14th18th October, 2019.

: On 28th August, 2019, WHRDN-U participated in a symposium organized by Unwanted Witness Uganda on the future of privacy in Uganda. The discussion was about the Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019. Brenda Kugonza, the executive director, WHRDN-U gave her submission.

: On 25 September, 2019, Brenda Kugonza and Elizabeth Cherekut participated in ACFODE National Conference at Protea Hotel. They had great discussions on Build up to 2021 elections-strategizing to mitigate violence against women participating in the electoral processes in Uganda.

: On 17th September, 2019, Elizabeth Cherekut, Assistant Protection Officer, WHRDN-U made a submission during a session on Internet Right Advocacy for human rights during the CIPESA’s training

: On 6th December, 2020 WHRDN-U was invited by the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda (NCHRD-U) for the commemoration the International Human Rights Defenders Day 2019 under the theme Stand up for Human Rights: Situating synergies towards protection of Human Rights Defenders that took place at Hotel Africana.

: On 30th October, 2019, WHRDN-U secretariat hosted a staff from Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) at our offices in Bukoto along Old Kira Road. The interaction was on how to assess data on violence against women human rights defenders.

On 1st and 2nd July 2020, the WHRDNU secretariat together with the head of the Disability Women’s defenders thematic working group and Albertine regional focal person conducted a field visit in Hoima, Kagadi and Masindi. The visit supported;
-Processes of coordination among diversity of WHRDs
-Women defenders battling oil extractive projects
-HIV/AIDs women defenders
-Women Defenders with disabilities
-Women defenders on women’s political participation
Fruitful discussions were held on how and where to seek support, strengthen local networks and foster linkages to ensure holistic protection of WHRDs

: Jane of WHRDN and Jenepher in the middle meet Leila a female journalist from Spice Fm in Hoima

: The tall woman is Rose the head of the women defenders with disability and next to her in red is Flavia female journalist based in Masindi with the Bunyoro Broadcasting services with Jane and Jenepher the regional focal person

: Meeting FOWODE in Masindi , women defenders involved in supporting Women in politics

: Meeting women defenders of World voices battling oil extractive projects in Kagadi district

: Meeting Joy Women defender with disability from Hoima District Association Of the Blind

: Meeting with HIV/Aids woman rights defender-Robina from Hoima

: Meeting a woman Enviromental defender Beatrice in Hoima

: Meeting Sandra a woman defender in defense of land and natural resources in Hoima

The Women Human Rights Defenders that hosted the WHRDN-U during a field visit from 8th-10th July 2020 in Kapchorwa, Kween and Mbale districts. They have led campaigns on Anti- Female Genital Mutilation, protected the land rights of the Bennet ethic minority groups and protected LGBTQ rights. The Women Defenders shared their livid experiences of risks,attacks and threats in their communities, how they are organizing, the change they are working towards and provided insightful recommendations to WHRDN-U on how to ensure safety of women defenders in the rural isolated communities.

: On 8th July 2020 Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda engaged with WHRDs from Benet Lobby Group who advocate for the land rights of the Benet community and fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kween and Bukwo district and shared how they were overwhelmed with the different forms of violations they face because of their human rights work like threats of arrests, physical assaults, threatened to cut for talking about the disadvantages of FGM. WHRDN-U discussed its role of protecting the WHRDs to ensure a safe working environment.

: Meet Women with a Mission a women’s organization advocating for the rights of LBQ women, provides legal support to victims of land grabbers and evictions, fight against domestic violence in Mbale. On 9th July 2020 during the solidarity visit to WHRDs between WHRDN-U and Women with a Mission they reported the different risks they face like office break ins, threats of rape and held discussions on the protection needs of WHRDs

: WHRDN-U paid a courtesy visit to Holistic Organization to Promote Equality (HOPE) Mbale on 9th July 2020 and revealed the different challenges they face as WHRDs advocating for the rights of LBGTI people to quality health care, human rights observance and equal opportunities and revealed how risky their work is in a discriminative community, community attacks and arrests

: On 8th July 2020 WHRDN-U during a solidarity field visit met with to Sarah Chekwech from Sabiny Transformative Trust Initiative an organization that fights against Female Genital Mutilation and advocates for the rights of girl child.

: WHRDN-U was honored to meet WHRDs from Human Rights Activists in Mbale on 9th July 2020 who support victims of human rights violations and shared the different forms of violations they face in the course of doing their human rights work.

Luncheon with with members of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee and to discuss how the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill can be gender responsive and protect Women Human Rights Defenders.

On August 13th 2020, Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda presented a position paper at the Human Rights Defenders protections Bill Consultative meeting, advocating for gender sensitivity while drafting the law.

: Margaret Kulaba, Chairperson WHRDNU, gives opening remarks at the #HRDProtectionBill2020 Consultative Meeting

: Hon Kamakech Lyandro, the mover of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill, states that the law will consolidate the struggle women go through. #HRDProtectionBill2020

: Brenda Kugonza, Executive Director, Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda, delivers a position paper advocating for a gender based Human Rights Protection Bill

: Honourable Jovah Kamatek, speaks at the Consultative Meeting.

: Christine Achom, a Woman Human Rights Defender from Tororo appreciates the gender aspect integrated ino the bill

: Jolly Mbambu, a female journalist from Kasese speaks on the challenges she faces as a female journalist

: Honorable Ben Atiku outlines the importance of having a gender perspective while drafting the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill

: Hon. Komakech Lyandro signs the position paper from the Women Human Rights Defenders Network, Uganda

9/11/2020, Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda is honored to engage in a National Consultative meeting on Election for Human Rights Defenders and Advocates organized by Legal Aid Service Providers Network-Laspnet to discuss strategies on the protection of WHRDs amidst the 2021 elections.

: Consultative Meeting on Election for Human Rights Defenders and Advocates

: Consultative Meeting on Election for Human Rights Defenders and Advocates

: Miria Matembe speaks at the Consultative meeting on Election for Human Rights Defenders and Advocates

On 16th September 2020 ,Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda met with The Women’s Probono Initiative , Executive Director ,Prima Kwagala and the Programs Officer Achola Elizabeth and held discussions on how to provide legal aid support to WHRDs attacked with a feminist perspective.