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INTERN VACANCY: Online Communications Intern

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WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK UGANDA (WHRDN-U)

1. INTERN VACANCY

JOB TITLE: Online Communications Intern

DUTY STATION: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U), is a registered not for profit national network with a membership of more than 97 women organizations and individuals. The WHRDN-U, was founded in 2017 by women defenders to promote a feminist holistic approach integrating a gender perspective, focusing on building supportive networks and coordination among Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) from diverse social movements and causes in Uganda. Thereby building the capacity for protection of WHRDs, offering protection and emergency response for WHRDs at risk, and Advocacy for protection of WHRDs.

Our work includes strategic communications to support advocacy, dialogue, rapid response and encourage solidarity in the face of aggressions against WHRDs in Uganda. This work aims:

  • To raise visibility of conditions faced by WHRDs

 

  • Increase recognition of their communities

 

  • Enhance solidarity to support the security of WHRDs

Job summary: The Communication intern will support WHRDN-U and should be a technologically knowledgeable, creative and willing to join a growing organization. The incumbent will gain experience in online communications at a national feminist organization and take part in promoting the rights and protection of WHRDs as well as raising the visibility of the violence and risks WHRDs face.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

 

  • Take lead in online content creation and social media management.

 

  • Manage the implementation of our social media strategy, including the development, curation and timely posting of engaging, thoughtful, and powerful content on our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Youtube).

 

  • The incumbent will also contribute to content development for our website. This will include maintaining and strengthening our web interactions with partners, donors, members of WHRDN-U, and the broader public.

 

  • The Jobholder will also help us grow our audience, strengthen our engagement with them and think through new strategies and next steps.

 

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

 

  • The ideal candidate for the communications intern vacancy should be conversant with social media and online content creation; comfortable with diverse analytic and aggression platorms; has basic graphic design skills.

 

  • Keen interest in women’s rights, promoting gender equality and women empowerment

 

  • Collaborative and able to work dynamically and diligently without direct supervision

 

 

  • Results-oriented, interested in learning and recommending new approaches or tech solutions

 

  • Age : Below 30 years

 

NB: This is unpaid internship. If the intern is based in Kampala, a transport allowance will be provided.

How to apply;

All suitably qualified and interest candidates should send their application letters with detailed CVs indicating 3 referees, two of whom should have been direct supervisors and addressed to the Executive Director and submitted to info@whrdnuganda.org.

The Executive Director

Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda

Plot Plot 1789 Old Kira Road Bukoto

P.o.Box 5272,Kampala

Tel:+256756457038

Important to note:

The closing date for receiving applications is 23rd November 2020.This position is restricted to female candidates.

 

 

 

Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda group photo

Wellness And Self Care Healing For Women Human Rights Defenders In Uganda

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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.

Self Care and Collective Healing

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.

Women HRDs read Self Healing and Wellness messages
Women HRDs read Self Healing and Wellness messages

 

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.

 

 

 

Reproductive Health

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.

Wellness and Healing

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.

Massage

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.

Practical Self Care & Mutual Support

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.

Launch of 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.
Launch of 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.

 

Championing A Gender Responsive Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill 2020

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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.


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.”

Brenda Kugonza delivers a position paper on the Human Rights Defenders protection Bill 2020
Brenda Kugonza delivers a position paper on the Human Rights Defenders protection Bill 2020

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.

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.


 

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

Embracing The New Normal As Women Human Rights Defenders During COVID19

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The WHRDN-U has continued amplifying the voices of Women Human Rights Defenders at all levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have submitted to the UN Humans Rights Office stories of frontline defenders, press statements, virtual networking, advocacy meetings and continued support to WHRDS at risk.

We also conducted solidarity visits to WHRDs in danger and  provided referral services to WHRDs to access services from like minded organizations. WHRDN-U will continue amplifying the voices of WHRDs and remain committed to provide support to those at risk during and post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ensuring a Gender Responsive Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill

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On July 30th 2020, Brenda Kugonza the Executive Director of Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda, together with the Assistant Protection and Rapid Response Manager, Jane Sssenyange met with Hon Lucy Akello, Hon Jovah Kamatek and Mary Harriet Lamunu, program coordinator from Uganda Women Parliament Association to discuss the proposed Human Rights Defenders protection bill and how it can be gender responsive.

Discussing a Gender Responsive Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill

It is important to WHRDN-U that Women Human Rights Defenders are well represented in this bill, and this was central to the discussions held. Hon Lucy Akello, who sits on the Human Rights Parliamentary committee welcomed the idea of ensuring women’s voices and rights are well respected in drafting the bill.

Mary Lamunu, welcomed the timely intervention and discussion and emphasized the need for WHRDs issues to be well laid out in the bill. The discussion held resulted in the members agreeing to champion this cause going forward in Parliament.

The Impact Of COVID-19 On The Work Of Women Human Rights Defenders In Uganda

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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.

Covid-19 in the eyes of women human rights defenders

Analyzing The Impact Of COVID-19 On The Work Of Women Human Rights Defenders In Uganda
Analyzing The Impact Of COVID-19 On The Work Of Women Human Rights Defenders In Uganda

 

 

Empowering the Girl Child builds a better future

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The students of Bethel Covenant college pose for a group photo with the Girl Child Network Uganda and Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda secretariat

Over the time, girls have been looked at as the weaker sex which has left them vulnerable especially if they do not have someone to mentor and always be there to listen to them.  with that, they are constantly reminded that they are a not what the society tries to make them believe they are.

This year’s Women’s Day celebration which was under the theme I am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights got several women thinking of how best they could celebrate the achievements, as well as struggles that women go through in our society. This did not leave out the girls because they are the future mothers, wives, and leaders of our country.

“In Uganda, girls are at the forefront of the fight for social justice. Girls have resisted early marriages, genital mutilation, supported abused children, spoken out to defend survivors of sexual violence. But because of their age, they are seen as being immature to participate in human rights activities. So mentoring support to girls from adult women defenders is crucial to sustaining their activism work,” says Brenda Kugonza,the Executive Director,Women Human Rights Defenders network Uganda (WHRDN-U).

 

On 7th March 2020, Women Human Rights Defenders network Uganda (WHRDN-U) was honored to be invited by Girl Child Network, Uganda, to celebrate Women’s Day with the girl children of Bethel Covenant College, Bwebajja.

The celebration had the girls interact with some professional women who gave them vital tips on how to enhance their self-esteem, manage stress, community care, hygiene, and body.

The topics that were for a discussion focused on building the girls mentally, socially, and economically because they need all that knowledge so that they can shrive in the environment they live in.

Kugonza encouraged the girls to reflect on what they want to celebrate in the future and choosing their role models wisely because these are people who influence what they do.