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How WHRDN-U is Strengthening Regional Collaboration and Joint Advocacy

In the Karamoja region, Female Genital Mutilation remains a harmful tradition threatening the health and dignity of girls. For years, defenders in the region have worked in silos—struggling alone, with little support or connection to others doing similar work.That changed when the Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U) brought WHRDs from across Karamoja together in a workshop in Kampala. It was here that they learned not only legal tools and protection strategies—but also the power of solidarity.

When Pauline Chepar from Amudat shared how she was facing threats and working with little support, her sisters from Moroto, Napak, and Nakapiripirit knew they had to act.

And they did. On July 8th, 2025, these WHRDs took a bold step,they travelled to Amudat to stand with Pauline and her colleagues at Sanay Anti-FGM Office. It was a powerful moment of courage and care. The women sat together, exchanged strategies, encouraged one another, and made a joint promise: No more silence, no more isolation.

They talked openly about what they needed to win this fight: better police response, more funding, safe spaces for girls, and cultural leaders as allies. What seemed like a simple visit turned into a symbol of strength and sisterhood. This was not just support, it was a movement growing from the ground.Because of WHRDN-U’s support and coordination, WHRDs in Karamoja are now more united than ever. They are building a shared voice, forming strong bonds, and pushing for real change in their communities.This is what happens when women defenders stand together. This is the impact of WHRDN-U.

Impact of WHRDN-U in Strengthening Women Human Rights Defenders in the Fight Against FGM

In the quiet and remote district of Amudat, Pauline Chepar had been fighting a lonely and dangerous battle. As a passionate Woman Human Rights Defender (WHRD), she had been leading the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)—a deeply rooted cultural practice in the area. Her work was not easy. She faced threats from community members, resistance from traditional leaders, and even neglect from authorities who were supposed to support her cause.

When Pauline attended the WHRDN-U Regional Residential Capacity Building Workshop in June 2025, she finally found a space where her voice could be heard. She courageously shared her daily struggles—how she risks her life to protect young girls, the emotional pain of survivors, the fear that cross-border FGM brings, and how often justice is never served due to weak law enforcement.

Her testimony touched the hearts of other WHRDs, especially those from the Karamoja sub-region. They realized that Pauline was not just fighting for her community—she was fighting for all of them. That is when something beautiful happened: they chose to stand with her.On July 8th, 2025, a team of WHRDs from Moroto, Napak, and Nakapiripirit districts organized a solidarity visit to the Sanay Anti-FGM Office in Amudat, where Pauline works. This was not just a visit—it was a powerful act of sisterhood.

Together, they shared experiences, cried, laughed, and reminded one another why their work matters. They held deep conversations about the dangers WHRDs face, the frustration of limited resources, and the pain of watching cultural practices harm women and girls. But most importantly, they gave each other hope.This visit, made possible through the coordination and inspiration of WHRDN-U, marked a turning point. Pauline no longer felt alone. She now had a network of sisters walking beside her. Together, they pledged to raise their voices louder, to run joint campaigns, and to push for stronger protection of girls’ rights across Karamoja.“When they came to Amudat, I felt like I could breathe again. I knew I was not alone anymore,” Pauline said.

Through this story, we see how WHRDN-U is not only building the capacity of WHRDs but also creating a culture of love, care, and unity in activism. This is what collective protection looks like. This is how change begins.

In West Nile, WHRDs were facing rising threats, from cyberbullying and arrests to violence in their own homes. Many defenders were scared to speak out, especially online. But that changed after WHRDN-U held a powerful meeting in Arua City.

WHRDs came together with civil society leaders and the Uganda Human Rights Commission. They presented hard-hitting data showing that:

• 57% of attacks came from the community.
• 41% came from family and local leaders.
• 26% were by police and security forces.

One woman shared: “I was arrested for leading a peaceful protest. I stayed three nights in jail without knowing my charges.”The room was quiet. Then the mood shifted,to action. Civil society leaders promised to:

• Speak up more about WHRDs in local spaces.
• Work closely with religious and cultural leaders to shift harmful beliefs.
• Invest in cyber security training to help defenders protect themselves online.

The Uganda Human Rights Commission said they would offer technical help and encouraged WHRDs to use their library and services. From fear to power—this is the journey WHRDN-U is walking with defenders.

In Gulu, Acholi subregion, one of our own, Harriet Akello, of Volunteer Action Network, suffered a scary break-in at her organization’s office. Laptops were stolen. Locks were broken. Her team was shaken. But what happened next showed the true meaning of sisterhood and protection.WHRDN-U had just trained WHRDs in digital and physical security. Inspired by the training, a group of WHRDs immediately took action. They visited Harriet’s office, assessed the damage, and conducted a full security review. They found the office had no security cameras, weak door and window locks, and easy access for strangers. Together, they made clear recommendations for stronger locks, surveillance systems, and controlled access to protect staff and files.This solidarity visit was more than technical support. It was healing. It reminded Harriet that she was not alone. WHRDN-U gave defenders tools to protect each other, not just with words but with action.

Before the WHRDN-U training, many Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs)  in the Teso region felt invisible and unsupported. They faced serious threats—some were harassed by their own families, others were arrested, and many were attacked online. 

But everything changed after WHRDN-U facilitated an engagement between WHRDs and the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) in Soroti. For the first time, WHRDs shared their painful stories directly with government officials. They spoke about cyberbullying, threats at home, and physical violence.

The Human Rights Commissioner admitted something big: “We didn’t even know WHRDs existed in our communities.”

Because of this meeting, UHRC promised to:

• Work hand in hand with WHRDs.
• Offer free legal support and referrals for assaulted WHRDs.
• Train WHRDs on how to report cases using UHRC toll-free lines and email.

This meeting built a bridge between WHRDs and duty bearers. It gave defenders courage and visibility. As Madam Agodo Joroline from Soroti said, “Our voices were finally heard. We are no longer working alone in fear.”