Capacity Building

40 years ago, in 1981, a group of international activists came together to create a movement for peace, solidarity and non-violent action. While our core mission remains the same, we have adapted our tactics to ensure defenders are protected despite the rapidly changing global context and ever-evolving risks and threats they face. 40 years on, PBI remains convinced of the vital role HRDs play in strengthening democracy, upholding the rule of law, and protecting our shared environment. Together, through their protection, we can create a more peaceful and just world.

PBI Kenya in collaboration with the members of the Social Justice Centers Working Group (SJCWG) conducted a Training of Trainers on safety and security for HRDs. Ten HRDs of Social Justice Centres in Nairobi were trained on risk assessments and security plans for HRDs. This included stakeholders analysis, digital security, organisational security and many other important topics. There was specific attention to training techniques in order for the participants to effectively train other HRDs.

The WHRD Toolkit Organizers involve their communities in the planning, designing, and creation of murals. They believe that the input of the communities is instrumental as the mural piece reflects the character, culture, and situation in the respective settlements.

During October and November 2020, the Women Human Rights Defenders Toolkit Organizers have been using murals to address the rise in child pregnancies and SGBV during Covid-19.

PBI Kenya began the year on a high note, by continuing to supporting the work of the HRDs of the Social Justice Centres in Kenya through a new project titled ‘Raising the voice, visibility and effectiveness of the human rights movement in Kenya’. This follows after the successful completion of the pilot project ‘Increased capacities, stronger networks’. Both are supported with German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), Funding Programme zivik.

‘Increased capacities, stronger networks - a pilot project in supporting Social Justice Center Working Group’s members in Nairobi’s urban settlements’ is a project supported with German Federal Foreign Office’s funds by ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen), Funding Programme zivik. This project, that will run from April to December 2020, will build on the results of the Ushirikiano Mwema kwa Usalama project.

Article by Julia Lowis, Barrister, 3 Hare Court

July 2017 marks the first anniversary between PBI Kenya and the Atiriri Bururi ma Chuka (‘Keepers of Chuka Community Land’) community group’s partnership.

In mid-May, PBI Kenya, in association with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), held a Training Course on Human Rights Documenting, Reporting and Advocacy Skills for the Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD) Toolkit Organisers and other women human rights defenders that PBI works with.

Kenyan human rights defenders (HRDs) face numerous challenges and threats, particularly if they work in urban settlements and rural areas, or if they work on sensitive topics such as land rights, corruption and violations by the police.