Reflecting on 2023: A Year of Triumphs and Shadows.
Women Human Rights Defenders
Women and minority rights activists around the world are working to create positive change in their communities. Women human rights defenders face many of the same challenges as their male counterparts. However, many face additional obstacles and threats because they challenge the status quo twice over – through their work and by challenging (by their very existence) accepted norms, traditions, perceptions and stereotypes about femininity, sexual orientation and the role and status of women in society. As a result, they are vulnerable to threats, stigma, rejection by family and community, and violence.
Find out more information about our work with Women Human Rights Defenders:
We are in Kilifi; unveiling the new cohort of WHRDs toolkit organizers in the Coast
PBI at the UN Human Rights Council during the Interactive Dialogue on Violence against women and girls
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:
Peace Brigades International Annual Review 2022
PBI published its 2022 International Annual Review, reflecting upon the challenges facing environmental and human rights defenders around the world, and the impact of their work and PBI’s activities in Latin America, Kenya, Nepal and Indonesia.
The increased militarisation of public security and widespread smearing of defenders were two of the dynamics that affected the ability of activists to work effectively across the regions and communities where PBI operates.
Sharing knowledge between Toolkit Organisers
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.
Organization Development and Structure Strengthening training with WHRD Toolkit Organizers
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.
Toolkit Organizers network meetings
Updates from the Toolkit Organisers October - December 2022WHRD Speaker tour in Switzerland, France and Spanish StateBetween 9 and 22 October 2022, Jecinter Agunja (Women HRD and Toolkit Organiser fro Artivism in Kenya“A picture is worth a thousand words” is an adage that we all know and it is one example of HRDs in action: a photobook of the grassroots human rights defenders of the social justice centres‘HRDs in action’ is a photobook that portrays the grassroots human rights defenders of the social justice centres in action.
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