The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the human rights defense work of WHRDs in Uganda, who work to protect human rights for all, create peace, gender equality, and ensure that justice is served for SGBV survivors.
Global Fund for Women (GFW) stood in solidarity and ensured that WHRDs continued their activism. GFW provided WHRDs – frontline defenders with essential supplies through the Crisis Fund. These supplies included; safe transport, food, face masks, hand sanitizers, communication (became a basic need in this crisis) and types of support were related to phone-recharging, purchase of credit, cell phone. Thereby facilitating them to mobilize, organize, reach out to various communities and support online activism as some WHRDs wanted to move online (WhatsApp, Facebook & Twitter) to do their activities. Read stories below of how the fund helped WHRDs to do their work in Uganda:
Ms. Juliana Among, Ms. Napiyo Madalena and Ms. Nabong Margret of the Ik ethnic indigenous minority group, used the relief funds for transport to go and register their group to legally operate in Kamion subcounty, Kaabong District. They were able to continue with promoting the rights of IK indigenous communities.
A copy of the recommendation letter to attain a certificate of registration being signed.
Ms. Edreda Dogolo, Ms. Grace Mbatina, and Ms. Rhoda Kabalisa the Batwa indigenous minority WHRDS from Bundibugyo, used the funds to organize Batwa women for a sensitization meeting on their rights to access the semiliki forest as their ancestral land. They also distributed food to Batwa women.
Ms. Roda Kabalisa a WHRD carrying out an awareness sensitization meeting in the Batwa Community
Robinah Tibakanya a WHRD from Hoima district used the relief funds to buy airtime for communication and stationery which she used to carry out the sensitization meeting to women in Namasagali village on land rights.
Ms. Mawa Jacky and Ms. Nasaka Halima, the WHRDS from Katwe salt mining the covid relief to distribute food to female salt miners in Kasese district.
Moreen Kyobutungi and Faridah Kugonza, WHRDS from Kabarole district used the relief funds to purchase food and soap which they distributed to the female sex workers for sustainability during the pandemic.Ms. Amono Jackline and Ms. Angeno Rose, from Mighty fire FM used the Covid relief to buy face masks and sanitizers which they supplied to fellow work mates. They appreciated WHRDN-U for the support that enabled them to continue carrying out their journalism work.
Ms. Amek Joan a WHRD from Central region, used the Covid relief to reach out to Rella House of Hope. She purchased pads and soap which were distributed to LBQT residing in the shelter.
Christine P’ochan a WHRD from Acholi used the covid relief support to pay a solidarity visit to Akol Winifred one of the WHRDS who had been attacked ,They too bought food for her.
Ms. Sarah Kabagenyi, WHRD defending the rights of people with disabilities in Bundibugyo district used the Covid relief to mobilize women with disability and living with HIV to understand how and where to access family planning and Reproductive health services .Ms. Paulin Chepar an anti-Female Genital Mutilation activist under Sanayi Anti FGM movement in Amudat district of Karamoja region bought a smart phone using the covid relief money to enable her to continue with the Anti FGM campaign documenting stories and reaching out to girls escaping FGM.
Ms. Naduke Betty, a GBV activist in Kabong district during a meeting with women who had reported cases of Domestic Violence (DV) , used relief fund to give out soap to survivors of DVMs. Nabiira Ndagire( holding a copy of the Domestic Violence Act) of Tusitukirewamu women empowerment group in Bwaise. Used relief fund to give food, while talking to women that the DVA encourages them to report DV to police, health workers and courts of law.
