On 19th May 2022, Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda organised a regional cordination meeting for Women Human Rights Defenders in the Albertine region in Hoima district. The meeting held at Hoima Resort hotel consisted of 22 WHRDS from Hoima (6), Masindi(5), Bullisa (6), Kagadi(2), Kiryandongo (1). This meeting was held in line with the efforts of WHRDN-U to achieve a well-coordinated national feminist Holistic protection program and a secure working environment for WHRDs in Uganda.
WHRDS attending the Albertine regional coordination meeting
Objectives of the meeting were to
To strengthen local support systems to offer timely response to WHRDs under attack in West Nile Region.
To offer a training on how to fill the case incidence form
To understand why one is unable to receive support whenever attacked
Ms Beatrice Rukanyanga the district focal person welcomed everyone to the meeting and told all the participants to share and interact freely and made an emphasis that, “Human rights activism work is given from God and it’s in our Blood despite the fact that defenders are attacked every day, we still continue to defend Human rights. Individually we cannot stand but when we work as a team it’s hard for the community to attack and pin us down, we have to work as a team and support one another” She further encouraged members to carry out solidarity visits among themselves.
The district focal person Beatrice Rukanyanga giving her opening remarks
Remarks from Gender Officer, Ms Kabatalya Joyce
Kabatalya Joyce thanked the WHRDS for the good work they were doing in their different communities.She said there are very many cases of violation of human rights at grass root levels and was glad to see a group of brave women who are risking their lives to defend the rights of such people, she encouraged the WHRDS to continue with this good work and re-assured her support whenever needed. “I am ready and willing to work with you, the different government institution have to work with you and you with them so that to make a big impact in the community”
Ms Kabatalya Joyce giving her opening remarks
Poster presentation and dissemination of the online GBV handbook for WHRDS.
Posters were distributed to members and each one was tasked to pin them in their work places to help create visibility of the network.
Handing over a poster to the gender officer A group photo of WHRDS raising the online GBV handbook guide for WHRDS
By conclusion of the meeting, participants knew the different ways of strengthening the local support system in case of attacks, shared action points on how they would support one other and also learnt how to fill in the incidence forms.
On 26 and 27th May 2022, The Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda held a “ Creating Space and Time to Heal, Rest, Rejuvenate, Reflect and Connect” workshop at Essela Hotel, Kampala . Over 25 participants from different parts of the country and various social movements benefited from the workshop.
The workshop provided a space for Women Human Rights Defenders to understand their lives of activism. Different members had things to say about how their activism work affected their well-being.
They are dedicated, passionate about their human rights work, and caring for others while forgetting about themselves. The WHRDS said all this is making them burn out, the job of defending never stops, Not for Profit Organizations and Community Based Organizations understaffed, yet the lives of the people they served depend on their actions, the WHRDs noted working in the evenings, on weekends, skip annual leave and when on annual leave, they check emails-because they think if they ignore them, they will pile. To some, they have pondered about living their activism work to joining the business sector.
In the photo above, participants had a moment to talk about how they tend to prioritize the importance of their work before thinking of themselves
The workshop also enabled participants to practice self-care, thus empowering them to manage their health to take care of their own emotional, physical, and mental health. The many ways in which members practiced rest, rejuvenation, and healing included the following:
Group counseling session :
In this session, participants understood how stress and burnout could result from human rights work in Uganda. This session helped WHRDs prevent burnout and ensure their psychological security. The WHRDs noted that they suffer violence, harassment, discrimination, and criminalization, leading to burnout. This session used group discussions, and they learned tips to help them recognize moments of stress, feelings of anxiety, and time management
Simon Ndawula , a clinical psychologists and consultant leading the counseling session
2. Fitness session ;
This session motivated and inspired participants to sustain a healthy lifestyle, and it was to help participants get their hearts and lungs to work faster; it was a fun atmosphere. The session involved stretching, dancing exercises to help with the body’s flexibility, and muscle strengthening for the legs, hips, the back, chest, stomach, shoulders, and arms. Breathing work, the facilitator informed participants that breathing helps control the nervous system and that having deep breathing, even for a moment, can help soothe people’s anxiety and calm our panic.
Mildred Apenyo of Fitcliqea Africa, leading a fitness session
3. Nutrition, Diet and food.
Ms. Elizabeth Masaba, a nutritionist, helped participants understand food as our primary source of medicine. She informed participants that what we eat and drink affects our energy levels, our moods, and how and what we think.
Nutritionist facilitates a session on diet
She urged WHRDs to create time for food breaks. By cutting a cake decorated as a healthy eating pyramid, as an illustrate, she encouraged members to maintain a balanced diet and that foods make up a healthy diet.
Healthy diet for WHRDS WHRDs cut cake during self care workshop
4. Health benefits of massage Therapy for WHRDs.
Massage consultants enabled participants to understand that massage can combat stress and anxiety, increase blood flows to areas of the brain that associate with mood and stress regulation, boost immune systems, improve sleep, relieve pain and fatigue, etc. Trained massage therapists eased pain and tension by massaging the muscles and joints of body participants. Thus the, using different massage techniques during session this promoted relaxation among participants.
5. Conversations, Networking, Music and Dancing sessions.
During this session, it was a question n from the Urgent Action Fund for women “what is the point of a revolutionif we can’t dance?’. This platform allowed WHRDs to dance, and women danced. The participants recognized the health benefits of dancing as a tool to stay fit for all ages, is a great way to meet new friends, improve muscle tone, better social skills, and help the heart and lungs.
WHRDs dance during the self care workshop
6. Gynecology and women’s health session.
This session was essential for WHRD’s reproductive health. Ms. Birungi of Reproductive Health Uganda covered cancer screening, menstruation management, post-menopause management, and family planning. The objective of this session was to promote the health and well-being WHRDs by offering them information and improving their knowledge on reproductive health-related matters.
Dr. Birungi leading a session on Reproductive Health
Here are some of the ways in which WHRDs committed to practice self-care and collecting healing:
Take an hour for lunch break, limit taking office work home, and create me time
Minimize interactions with social media platforms, and go for regular medical check –ups
Go for a walk, and have a good diet,
Reflections from participants
Ataro Juliet of Women Rural Development Network speaking at the Self Care workshop
On 2nd May 2022, 22 Women Human Rights Defenders from the Acholi Women Human Rights Defenders Regional Network met with Gulu City Woman MP, Hon Aol Betty Achan at her community office in Gulu City. The WHRDs who came from Gulu, Kitgum, Omoro, Pader, Nwoya, Lamwo and Amuru districts.
Adubo Diana, one of the WHRDs in the region took lead in this session outlined the various Gender based threats and intimidation they face that in their work of of GBV, land rights, promotion of rights for persons with disabilities, journalists, children, LBQT, sex work. She outlined these Gender specific attacks that include;
Instead of producing children, you are busy loitering, stop messing up your life as a woman
Gender discrimination. People don’t want to associate with you in the community.
No wonder you are single, which man can stay with a loud woman like you. Women are supposed to soft spoken always.
I cannot marry a woman like you. You are like a fellow man. Women like you are not marriage material.
Baby hater(If advocating for family planning and safe abortion)
Exclusion from clan land ownership committees.
The meeting offered a great opportunity in establishing a working relationship with the MP and the Acholi WHRDs requested the MP to create a platform to engage the Human Rights Parliamentary Committee and her office act as a referral point to WHRDS to report violations they encounter.
In her speech, MP Aol Betty appreciated the WHRDs for their activism and support they offer in upholding human rights especially of all people regardless of gender, age and occupation. She also committed to create a platform to discuss their issues with the Human Rights Parliamentary Committee, the Gender Parliamentary Committee and the Speaker of Parliament.
The Acholi WHRDs also handed over a position paper and Human Rights Defenders Protection Bill to the MP.
Acholi WHRDNU Network members present MP Betty Aol a position paper
On 25th March 2022, 25 members of the West Nile Women Human Rights Defenders Network paid a courtesy visit to the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) offices in Arua. The delegation of Women Human Rights Defenders(WHRDs) was received by Kisa Daisy, the Human Rights Officer in charge of Investigations who handles complaint of Human Rights violations in West Nile. In her remarks, she stated
“We are happy that as the West Nile Women Human Rights Defenders Chapter, you recognise the work of the Uganda Human Rights Commission. It is empowered by the constitution to protect and promote rights of all in the country. That’s why in our report of 2018, we dedicated a chapter for women human rights defenders and specifically put in a topic on especially the women because they go through a lot. Generally Human Rights work is risky work.”
Kisa Daisy speaks to the Women Human Rights Defenders from the West Nile region
She further stated that she was glad to have met the WHRDs and this meeting was the beginning of a formation of a mutual relationship and connection between each other. She promised to involve members of the West Nile WHRD regional network in upcoming trainings and meetings that would benefit their participation.
“There is need for us to work together and have active communication amongst ourselves. This forms a bond of solidarity and also a protection layer where WHRDs aren’t isolated and easily attacked. And our impact will be felt in the West Nile region.”
WHRDs discuss ways of keeping in touch and working together with the Human Rights Commission
Rosemary Kyemba, a WHRD who was part of the delegation that visited said the group consisted of Women Human Rights Defenders defending Rights of the LGBQI, land and environmental rights and rights of indigenous people. She stated
“In our communities we are working in, we are working to promote the rights of everyone. In most cases WHRDs are attacked in different ways due to the nature of their work. We call upon you as the UHRC to always support us whenever we report cases and also feel your presence in the communities in the sub regions where we defend people.”
Rosemary Kyemba speaks during the meeting
Group photo of the West Nile Regional WHRDs with UHRC members
On the night of 24th March 2022, 22 Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) from the Rwenzori region paid a protection solidarity visit to Female Sex workers defenders in Kabarole district. The solidarity visit took place at a Moonlight activity and comprised of;
Composition of WHRDS that made the protection solidarity visit.
5 WHRDs from Kabarole district (4 defending rights of sex workers and 1 Female Journalist WHRD.
1 WHRD defending rights of Gold miners from Mubende
7 WHRDS defending rights of gold miners in Katwe
1 WHRD from Ntoroko defending rights of victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV)
4 WHRDs from Bundibugyo ( 1 WHRD defending land rights and 3 WHRDs defending rights of the Batwa indigenous community.
3 WHRDs from Kasese district. 1 defending rights of the disabled, 1 defending rights of GBV victims and 1 defending rights of sex workers.
Expression of solidarity with Sex workers Women Human Rights Defenders in Kabarole
Challenges faced by Sex Workers Women Human Rights Defenders
During the solidarity visit, the Sex Workers Women Human Rights Defenders (SWHRDs) expressed concerns of challenges they are facing due to the nature of their work that include:
Threats from clients
Raids on their homes
Physical attacks
Police surveillance while conducting health outreach work
Threats to relocation from the area they sell sex after becoming known HRDs
Twenty three (23) Women Human Rights defenders from Karamoja region visited and stood in solidarity with peace mediators in Kotido district. The visit that took place on 18th March 2022 began with a meet up with peace mediators in Rengen sub county and later at Nakere Rural Women’s Activities (NARWOA) head offices.
Karamoja Regional WHRDS meet with peace mediators at Rengen sub-county
Solidarity visit to Peace Mediators at Rengen sub-county
The peace mediators have played a pivotal role in conflict resolution in the region amidst the disarmament process and cattle rustling grappling the region. The Karamoja regional WHRDS expressed solidarity and sisterhood with them, thanking them for the pacifying role they play in Karamoja. Despite continued personal attacks due to their work, the peace makers vowed to continue brokering peace in the region.
Karamoja Regional WHRDS express solidarity with peace mediators
Despite the ongoing psychological, social and economic attacks on their personal lives due to the nature of their conflict resolving work, the peace makers vowed to continue mediating peace in their communities and thanked the Karamoja Regional Women Human Rights Defenders for visiting and expressing solidarity with them.
The peace mediators at Rengen sub-county
Karamoja Regional WHRDS dance with peace mediators after their visit and expression of solidarity
Solidarity visit to Peace Mediators at Nakere Rural Women’s Activities head offices
Following the visit to peace mediators in Rengen sub-county, the Karamoja Regional WHRDs visited the peace mediators at Nakere Rural Women’s Activities head offices in Kotido. The visit, coordinated by the Ms. Aata Jessica, the Regional focal person of WHRDN-U in Karamoja began with her welcome remarks to the WHRDs visiting.
Listen to Ms Aata Jessica welcome WHRDS to NARWOA’s offices.
The peace mediators at NARWOA expressed their gratitude with the visit from fellow WHRDS in the region and called for more sisterhood and collective efforts in peace mediation in the region. They promised to continue supporting each other in their different fields as well as strengthen the network so that they aren’t easily isolated and targeted as peace mediators in Karamoja.
Karamoja Regional WHRDS express solidarity with peace mediators
Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U), in partnership with Civil Rights Defenders, conducted a two days’ workshop for 23 Women Human Rights Defenders from Kotido, Amudat and Kabongo, Nakapiriprit, Napak, Abim, Moroto districts. The WHRDS who form the Karamoja Regional Women Human Rights Defenders Network converged at Kotido Resort Hotel on 17th and 18th March 2022 for the themed workshop ‘Creating Safe Spaces for WHRDS, their rights and safety.’
Women Human Rights Defenders introduce themselves during the 2 day workshop
Workshop Objective
The 2 day workshop meant to strengthen the coordination capacity among the WHRDS in the Karamoja region looked to further;
Increase awareness among WHRDs on their rights and their safety.
To celebrate the struggles of women and help WHRDs at grass root level feel part of the women’s movement for social justice in Uganda.
To improve their understanding and analysis of the violence faced by WHRDs and promote collective and feminist protection strategies based on their knowledge and experiences.
Create awareness on creating safer spaces for WHRDs.
Workshop Flow
The 2 day workshop began with opening remarks from the District focal person, Ms. Ataa Jessica Ruth from Nakere district. She informed the participants that she was privileged to have supported the WHRDN-U secretariat with mobilization and coordination of the workshop. She further emphasized the importance of Karamoja WHRDs coming together to support each other and that whereas WHRDs are doing human rights,they are vulnerable to attacks and smear campaigns in the Karamoja region.
Ms. Ataa Jessica Ruth gives opening remarks
Brenda Kugonza, Executive Director of WHRDN-U also welcomed participants to the workshop. She appreciated WHRDs who have resisted oppression, defended rights and kept resilient. She underlined the need for WHRDs to shoulder each other and acknowledge the contributions we are making in our communities even if we are from various social movements.
Brenda Kugonza welcomes WHRDS to the 2 day workshop
River of Life: Reflection on stories of activism
Brenda Kugonza asked each participant to draw a river on a sheet of paper which will represent their individual RIVER OF LIFE. Brenda explained thatour lives are never straight lines; the river will inevitably have some curves to it, some rapids, rocks and a few quiet spots along the way. Participants were asked to identify some important moments in their history of activism and place them along the course of the river, the moment when they first became concerned about human rights and the most significant moments in their history as activists.
Participants draw their rivers of life
Understanding who we are as human rights defenders
In this session facilitated by Ms. Asingwire Bonitah from WHRDN-U, it was meant to deepen the definition of a Woman Human Rights defender. The session enabled participants give their own understanding of who a human rights defender is.
Bonita Asingwire facilitates a session on Understanding who a HRD is
Participants share their understanding of who a Human Rights Defender is.
Participants further shared alternative terms that a human rights defender can be referred to as in their different local dialects.
WHRDS share their different terms and examples for human rights defenders
The ‘Flowers of our struggles’ We are part of the human rights movement
In this session facilitated by Brenda Kugonza, participants discussed the strengths and value of women’s movement and establishing WHRD regional networks, noting that movements enable women to use their collective power to bring change , speaking not as individuals organizations but with a powerful voice that cannot be easily isolated and suppressed. Each member was asked to write and name their stories of their struggles that they have contributed to the strengthening of the women’s and human rights movement.
Flowers of our strugglesParticipants reflect on powerful images that inspire their human rights work
The reflection on the photographs made participants feel that they are part of a movement beyond their organizations, groups etc and acknowledged the benefits and strengthens of movements as illustrated below:
My reflection on the pictures is that Women don’t fear to stand and speak against violence “Chepar Paulina”
Cecilia Dengel mentioned that women are fearless to demonstrate
Esther Toto mentioned that women HRDs are confident to demonstrate because they know their rights.
Rose Namoe mentioned that women’s movements show that they are brave to advocate for other people’s rights.
Maria Kiiza said that the pictures show solidarity amongst WHRDs.
Participant shares her reflection from the human rights inspired photographs
WHRDS dance and jubilate at the end of Day 1 of the workshop
DAY TWO
Understanding the legal framework for defense of human rights defense.
This session facilitated by Brenda Kugonza, was meant to review instruments that support HRDs. Brenda stressed that The UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in its preamble, fourth paragraph, defines HRDs as individuals , groups and associations contributing to the elimination of all violations of human rights.”
Brenda Kugonza facilitates a session on the legal framework for HRDs
The Declaration considers HRDs as rights holders and is an important instrument that can be used to lobby and advocate for the rights of defenders.
On March 8th 2022, 29 Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDS) converged at Arch Apartment Hotel Ntinda for a breakfast meeting to commemorate International Women’s Day with the special launch of the Online Gender Based Violence handbook for WHRDS.
The emerging trends of online violence against WHRDS prompted Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda (WHRDN-U) to develop a handbook that will be a guide for organizations and individual WHRDS to prevent and respond to online Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Objective of the meeting.
Raise awareness on online GBV concerns for WHRDS
Validate and launch a hand book for WHRDS on ICT GBV as a guide to strengthen awareness, provide tips on how to identify, document and report online violence
WHRDS introduce themselves during the meeting
WHRDS introduce themselves during the meeting
Ms. Janat Namuli the Rapid Response Protection Officer of WHRDN-U welcomed the Women Human Rights Defenders who came from Acholi, Karamoja, WestNile, Rwenzori and Westnile regions and wished them a Happy Women’s Day. She reminded them of the promise WHRDN-U made during online GBV and digital security management trainings held in 2021 to invite them to the validation and the launch and the day had finally arrived.
Janat Namuli speaks at the Validation and launch meeting of the online GBV handbook for WHRDS
Ms Peace Olivia Amuge the Executive Director of Women Of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) mentioned that the handbook was compiled after the online trainings with the WHRDS in 2021. She further mentioned what consists of the handbook
The different forms of Online GBV
Types of Online GBV
Root causes of Online GBV
Impact of Online GBV to the WHRDS
Digital Security Management
Existing laws and legal frameworks.
Peace Amuge speaks during launch of Online GBV handbook for WHRDS
Validation from WHRDS
Ms Bonita Asingwirwe from WHRDN-U led a validation session with the WHRDS where she asked for comments in regards to the Online GBV handbook. Below are some of the comments.
Rosemary Kyemba- The launch of the handbook is timely for us as Women Human Rights Defenders because it is now a tool for guidance on how we can deal with online violence. pic.twitter.com/6IDne7Gd0X
— Women Human Rights Defenders Network- Uganda (@WHRDNU) March 11, 2022
WHRDS give feedback during the launch of the online GBV handbook for WHRDSThe online GBV handbook being launched
Message from Brenda Kugonza, the Executive Director of WHRDN-U after the launch of the online GBV handbook for Women Human Rights Defenders on Women’s day 2022
Women Human Rights Defenders speak after the successful launch of the online Gender Based Violence handbook for Women Human Rights Defenders.
Women Human Rights Defenders celebrate and dance after launching the handbook.
Our Executive Director, Brenda Kugonza and Finance & Administration Officer Sheila Namudde have joined @WHRDNU board members at @GWEDGUga offices on a learning visit on Technical support of cooperate governance and financial management. pic.twitter.com/zzKzrdSY1B
— Women Human Rights Defenders Network- Uganda (@WHRDNU) February 16, 2022
The engagement over the two days covered areas on
Risk analysis plan
Internal audit plan
Job descriptions
In addition, practical skills were shared in resource mobilization , cultivating positive stakeholders relationships and human resource management. We extend our gratitude to Gulu Women Economic Development and Globalization for the hospitality throughout the two day visit.
In its list of issues, the Committee asked the State Party to “advise on specific legislative measures in place to protect the rights of women human rights defenders… (para 7)”.
Women human rights defenders in Uganda are facing particular challenges on account not only of transgressing gender norms in taking up the work of promoting and protecting human rights, but also often because of the nature of their work. HRDs identifying as or working with the LGBTI community are at particular risk, as are those working to promote and protect the rights of sex workers. Furthermore, land and environment WHRDs working as parts of communities to oppose resource extraction and mining operations have been threatened and intimidated by non-State actors and a number have faced arrests.
The draft bill on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders was tabled in 2020 and sits before the parliament. The adoption of this bill is important for the recognition of the work of all HRDs and would legitimise their rights to defend rights within the national legal frameworks. We call on CEDAW to recommend that the State genuinely engages with WHRDs to ensure that the bill and its implementation plans are fully gender responsive.
Brenda Kugonza presents statement during Zoom meeting on February 7th 2022
Meanwhile, the government of Uganda must review and reform other areas of its legislative framework in order to bring them in line with international standards. In particular, we urge the CEDAW Committee to call on the State to engage with civil society for the review and reform of the following:
The Computer Misuse Act, 2011 (section 24 and 25 in particular), under which charges of cyber harassment and offensive communication can be
The NGO Act, 2016 restricts the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful Application of section 44 can result in restrictions for WHRDs working for groups regarded as illegal, such as sex workers and LGBTI persons.
Section 145 of the Penal Code Act penalises same-sex relations. Further, an Anti- Homosexuality Act was operative for 5 months in 2014; during this period numerous cases of violations against the LGBTI community were reported, including arrest, physical violence and harassment.
The Anti-Pornography Act is often misused against WHRDs promoting rights related to gender and bodily
Women Human Rights Defenders Network Uganda Executive Director, Brenda Kugonza present an oral statement at the CEDAW NGO meeting for Uganda Review on 7th February 2022
“The enactment of a single law on the protection of Women Human rights defenders is an important step forward but insufficient without a holistic view of the legislative environment in which WHRDs operate. pic.twitter.com/OKk3PxHTIl
— Women Human Rights Defenders Network- Uganda (@WHRDNU) February 7, 2022
We stress that that the enactment of a single law on the protection of HRDs is an important step forwards, but insufficient without a holistic review of the legislative environment in which human rights defenders operate in order to address the root causes of the violence and discrimination that WHRDs are facing in Uganda. Thank you.
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