COMMUNIQUE ON RESOLUTIONS OF WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, NGONG HILLS HOTEL, ON THIS DAY, 29TH NOVEMBER 2019, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

We, the women leaders of Kenya, 

Noting that the Constitution of Kenya guarantees equality of men and women and prohibits any forms of discrimination;

Honouring those women who have struggled in the fight for  human rights for all; gender equality and equity;

Cognizant of the vital role that women play in democracy and governance;

Acknowledging that women constitute over half of the population of this country;

Emphasizing our commitment to the eradication of all forms of discrimination against women in Kenya;

Committed to nurturing and protecting the hard won fundamental rights and freedoms that guarantee womens’ full and equal participation in the political, economic, cultural and social spheres;

Exercising our sovereign and inalienable rights to fully participate in the governance and development of this country,

Do hereby make the following resolutions:

1. That, Women Human Rights Defenders in Kenya play a critical role in the promotion and protection of human rights and promote the wellbeing of populations.
2. That, Women Human Rights Defenders contribute significantly in the field of human rights and society at large.
3. That, Women Human Rights Defenders play a special role in protecting the rights of marginalized and disadvantaged groups, as well as individuals stigmatized and excluded from social and public life for various reasons, including prejudice and social and cultural stereotypes.
4. That, the State continues to use administrative and extra-legal measures to profile negatively, the work of human rights defenders and de-legitimize their work.
5. That, Women Human Rights Defenders will heighten the usage of alternative spaces as well as social media including: Poetry, photography, music, arts for social mobilization and agitating for rights.
6. That, Women Human Rights Defenders are susceptible to a myriad of risks just like any other HRD, but perhaps more disadvantaged just because they are women. As such, they are more prone to targeted gender-specific violence and threats.
7. That, the cost of liberation is high. As Women Human Rights Defenders, we promise to work together in agitating for human rights. The wins may be slow, but we promise to keep up the fight until justice becomes our shield and defender.
8. That, we demand that all women be respected

SIGNED BY 200 WOMEN LEADERS LEADERS AND WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS, DRAWN FROM ALL THE 47 COUNTIES OF KENYA GATHERED AT NGONG HILLS HOTEL TO CELEBRATE THE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM