As various grassroot, national, regional and international human rights organizations made preparations in readiness for the commemoration of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and the Declaration of Human Rights Defenders (DHRD) in December 2023, the Defenders Coalition was making preparations for something unique.

The Defenders Coalition brought together 103 human rights defenders (HRDs) to the eighth edition of the Annual Human Rights Defenders Academy.

Coming from all the 47 counties in Kenya, the participants were on a mission: to network, enhance their skills on climate justice, security management and reflect on their wellbeing.

“I am so happy to be here because this is a platform that firstly recognizes my work as a human rights advocate. Secondly, I intend to use the skills that I gain from the training to ensure that I take my human rights advocacy to the next level,” noted Naima Omar a WHRD from Mombasa County.

Since inception in 2015, the Annual HRD Academy has purposed to meet the needs of HRDs in terms of critical skill and knowledge that enhances the effectiveness of their advocacy efforts.

“The Academy is founded on a concept of skill building for enhanced impact. Defenders Coalition is concerned not only with the safety and security of individuals at the frontline but also the impact of their work to the communities,” said Kamau Ngugi, Executive Director of the Defenders Coalition.

Beyond equipping HRDs with skills, the Academy also brings geographical and thematic human rights work diversity to exchange and share experiences.

Among others, the 2023 HRD Academy was attended by individuals working on climate justice, sexual minority, good governance, women and girls and indigenous people’s rights.

“We are proud that we have had a direct contribution to the establishment of movements and solidarity networks who strike powerful solidarity partnerships. We have also seen evidence that the diversity at the Academy helps reduce then feeling of “being alone in the struggle,” noted Gloria Madegwa, Head of Programs at the Defenders Coalition.

The theme for last year was on ecological justice and the need for HRDs to enhance their engagement with the topical global conversation.

“The need to have all these human rights champions together is aimed at emphasizing the fact we cannot seperate the issue of environmental protection from human rights,” noted Nyaguthii Chege, East Africa Hub Director, Natural Justice.

Defenders Coalition will continue to provide similar movement and solidarity building and skill enhancement platforms in 2024.