Today 9th March 2021, Parliament of Uganda is set to discuss the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill 2020. In a consultative meeting held on August 13th 2020, organized by Defenders Protection Initiative, WHRDNU, represented by Brenda Kugonza presented a position paper advocating for a gender lens in the Bill.
This was meant to advocate and highlight the unique circumstances Women Human Rights Defenders face while carrying out their work.
Listen to Brenda Kugonza speak on March 8th 2021, Women’s Day as she was hosted on Radio Etoil A in Karamoja.
On the 27th November 2020, a group of Women Human Rights Defenders convened at the Alliance Of Women Advocating for Change offices to commemorate the International Day of Women Human Rights Defenders that is celebrated on 29th November every year. The theme for this years commemoration was “In the uncertain times of COVID-19: WHRDN-U calls for the recognition of the essential work of Women Human Rights Defenders.”
Mary Lamunu, the coordinator of Uganda Women Parliamentary Association spoke about the importance of adding a gender lens to the Human Rights Defenders Bill 2020.
Some of the key messages shared by Women Human Rights Defenders as they commemorated the International Women Human Rights Day
💬I am Mary Asili a WHRD supporting survivors of gender based violence from Tororo Mifumi. COVID-19 changed the way we did our work. Access to services by GBV survivors was a challenge, survivors were told not to report cases to police until the lock down was lifted. pic.twitter.com/mWlmA18HSU
— Women Human Rights Defenders Network- Uganda (@WHRDNU) November 27, 2020
Betty from Mbale, working for the rights of LBQTI and sex workers. 💬As a WHRD I was intimidated and feared to continue doing my work. Efforts to enforce curfews and lockdowns resulted into fear by women and girls to go to hospital to seek sexual reproductive health care. pic.twitter.com/651MsbWen3
— Women Human Rights Defenders Network- Uganda (@WHRDNU) November 27, 2020
On 5th November 2020, Oxfam Uganda and Uganda Women’s Network launched the “Enough” campaign at Mestil Hotel aiming to put at an end to the violence against women and girls in Uganda. Rita Aciro, the Executive Director of UWONET during her opening remarks, emphasized the importance of having a society that respects women and girls.
Under the #FlipTheSriptUG hashtag conversation around violence and torture of women was discussed as many organizations and people addressed the avenues through which this can be combatted. The Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda was proud to witness this launch and was represented by Brenda Kugonza (Executive Director), Margaret Kulaba (Chairperson) and Jane Ssenyange (Assistant Protection and Rapid Response Officer)
Today 5th Nov 2020, the Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda is humbled to withess the launch of the Enough campaign in Uganda with an aim of ending violence against women and girls that is embedded in cultural social norms. #FlipTheScriptUG pic.twitter.com/hOnEcNh9ij
— Women Human Rights Defenders Network- Uganda (@WHRDNU) November 5, 2020
Listen to Brenda Kugonza speak after the launch of the Enough Campaign
Honourable Winnie Kizza called for more dialogue on violence against women by Presidential candidates as they traverse the country campaign for votes in the upcoming 2021 Presidential elections.
Hon @WinnieKiiza – Presidential candidates should give perspective and clear direction on how they will address issues of violence against women and girls as they traverse the country campaigning for votes. #FlipTheScriptUG pic.twitter.com/Z3u4k15ljP
— Ultimate Multimedia Consult (@ultimate_UMC) November 5, 2020
Listen to “Bakimanye” the official “Enough” campaign soundtrack
A virtual reality tour of the launch of the “Enough Campaign” at Mestil Hotel.
Watch the video below of the Launch of the Enough Campaign.
Watch these testimonies and self expressions of Women Human Rights Defenders during the Wellness and Self Care Workshop that happened from 11th-14th August 2020.
The Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda, with support from Urgent Action Fund For Africa organised a 4 (four) day Self Care, Wellbeing and Collective Healing Capacity building Workshop for two groups of Women Human Rights Defenders Thematic Action groups. The first workshop comprising of representatives of the thematic working groups run from August 11th-12th 2020, and the second group comprised of regional focal persons, run from 13th-14th August 2020 at Eureka Place Hotel Ntinda.
The workshop was aimed at creating a relaxed and soothing environment where Women Human Rights Defenders would focus on their well being and come together to collectively heal from all the trauma and stress that comes along with their work.
Messages of encouragement, self belief and self love were re-echoed by the Women Human Rights Defenders to collectively heal together as they talked about dealing with trauma. It is important to heal one self before helping others, is what they unanimously agreed to while listening to each others stories.
Dr Linda Birungi, a gynecologist from Reproductive Health Uganda led sessions discussing sexual reproduction, family planning and best health practices. Health risks and dangers like cervical and breast cancer were discussed at length to ensure Women Human Rights defenders seek treatment and help before developing complications while working.
Mildred Apenyo, a woman’s rights activist and C.E.O of Flitclique Africa , an organization empowering and creating safe spaces for women, conducted therapy and relaxation sessions with Women HRDs to release fatigue from their bodies. Candles, ornaments, yoga and exercises were some of the tools and routines they were taken through as part of their healing.
A masseuse was also invited to massage and sooth body muscles to release any kind of stress and fatigue on the body. A healthy body is a healthy mind, so it is important for Women Human Rights Defenders to have healthy bodies to continue with their work without difficulty.
The workshop was concluded by officially launching a new culture of activism that is rooted in Practical Self-Care and mutual support as a necessary condition of Women’s movement in Uganda.
On August 13th 2020, Defenders Protection Initiative held a Consultative meeting at Skyz Hotel on the proposed Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill. The mover of the bill Hon. Komakech Lyandro in his opening remarks emphasized the the law will consolidate the struggle Women Human Rights Defenders go through and create an enabling environment for women to flourish.
More opening remarks from Hon. Komakech Lyandro. #HRDProtectionBill2020 pic.twitter.com/cSBbTxbdoY
— Women Human Rights Defenders Network- Uganda (@WHRDNU) August 13, 2020
Brenda Kugonza, the Executive Director of the Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda, presented a position paper by Women Human Rights Defenders on the need and relevance of a gender perspective in the Human Rights Defenders Protection bill. “Women’s unique issues and concerns while protecting rights of others should be put into full consideration as the bill is drafted.”
Rights of all individuals should be respected and reflected in the bill to ensure equal leveled ground while carrying out work. Women Human Rights Defenders across all regions from the country gave accounts of the different violations and threats they face while working.
Brenda Kugonza- It’s important Women HRDs voices and plight are put into consideration while drafting the #HRDProtectionBill 2020 pic.twitter.com/owlzJKti2t
— Women Human Rights Defenders Network- Uganda (@WHRDNU) August 13, 2020
John Tamale Mirundi, a Senior legislative council and drafter of the bill committed to ensuring all gender aspects are catered for in the Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill 2020.
Mr John Tamale Mirundi, a Senior Legislative and Drafter of the #HRDProtectionBill2020 commits to considering all gender aspects in drafting the bill. pic.twitter.com/YHwghFeIpF
— Women Human Rights Defenders Network- Uganda (@WHRDNU) August 13, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many sectors and notably too, the work of Women Human Rights Defenders in Uganda. Brenda Kugonza, the Executive Director of Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda, with other members of the network analyzed the effect the pandemic has had on WHRDs in a 2 page feature in the Daily Monitor. Read full article here.
2019 Whrdn-u Annual Report by sarah aanyu on Scribd
List Existing Support Services by sarah aanyu on Scribd