Women human rights defenders

In June, PBI made an oral statement at the 53rd Human Rights Council Session during the Interactive Dialogue on Violence against women and girls. We raised concern about the situation of women and girls and Women Human Rights Defenders in Kenya and Guatemala. On Kenya, the statement reads:

A vital aspect of the Toolkit Organisers network is sharing knowledge between HRDs. This week, Junia shared best practices on effective campaigning as an advocacy strategy and supported the team in practically creating a vision and problem identification.

In 2022, Junia attended a Fellowship for human rights defenders at Dundee University. He worked on well-being and expanded his networks and knowledge of best practices in advocacy. Upon his return, he shared his experiences with the Toolkit Organisers in the session.

The WHRD Toolkit Organizers network has been active since 2016. Last year, several members started a community-based organisation, ‘Toolkit Organizers CBO’. With support from PBI Kenya they held a workshop on Organization Development and Structure Strengthening (ODSS). The Toolkit Organizers brought out the need to strengthen the CBO’s structure and systems. The workshop contributed to the capacity to handle internal and external relationships for greater impact. They touched on leadership, governance and financial resource management.

Women Human Rights Defender Jecinter Agunja from the Coalition for Grassroots Human Rights Defenders Kenya and PBI Kenya

WHRD Speaker tour in Switzerland, France and Spanish State

Between 9 and 22 October 2022, Jecinter Agunja (Women HRD and Toolkit Organiser fro

2021 was a year of regenerating so much of what was lost, put on hold or forgotten the year before with the Covid-19 pandemic. Priorities and plans have shifted and PBI, along with so many other organisations, has been reflecting on and adjusting our work to ensure that the protection we provide to human rights defenders (HRDs) across the world remains relevant and responds to their urgent needs.

‘HRDs in action’ is a photobook that portrays the grassroots human rights defenders of the social justice centres in action.

Making Space for Dialogue – Women Rights Defenders in Nairobi, Kenya is a conversation with Catherine Wangui, WHRD Toolkit Organizer and Florence Mwikali from Peace Brigades International - Kenya Project.

We discussed solidarity, networking and the Mulika Wabakaji campaign. We also talked about feminism, what a gender-equal society looks like and how men can support women’s rights.