Defenders Coalition hosted the annual HRD Academy, a week-long assembly of young and upcoming HRDs from across the 47 counties in Kenya to hone their skills on security management, monitoring documentation and reporting as well as debriefing. Moreover., the HRDs are exposed to networking and exchange on their working environments as HRDs. 

The academy took place between 22 – 26 November 2022 where 111 Human Rights Defenders underwent a comprehensive learning and exchange experience. 

Defenders Coalition was able to realize the following through annual assembly of HRDs:

1. Inspired confidence in the participants to identify themselves as individuals who are active in the promotion of human rights in Kenya and should make use of available networks and protection for capacity enhancement and protection when in need;
2.  With a focus on the 2022 general elections period, we enhanced their capacities on monitoring and documenting human rights violations at the county and during elections period;
3. Equipped them with skills on safety and security management including developing individual security plans when in the work of promoting human rights;
4. Documented and celebrated stories of power within the cohort to inspire other upcoming human rights defenders through the HRD Awards 2021.

During the same period, the Defenders Coalition hosted the Annual Women’s Forum through the Ni Mama Project. After successful implementation of two years (Dec 2019 – Dec 2021), the Project has realized the following:

1. Established strong WHRDs solidarity networks in five counties; Nairobi, Wajir, Lamu, Elgeyo Marakwet and Vihiga.
2. Enhanced community protection for WHRDs through strong networks for and by women WHRDs.
3. Enhanced the skills of WHRDs on gendered monitoring and and reporting of human rights
4. Prioritized wellbeing component of WHRDs through regular debriefs of WHRDs in the networks
5. Linking WHRDs with duty bearers among them KNCHR and county government officials in the respective counties.
6. Improved the visibility of the role of WHRDs in promoting human rights in their communities by telling their stories regularly and recognizing their contribution through the Annual HRD Awards.

The Ni Mama Project, in partnership with the Embassy of Norway in Kenya, has commenced the second phase of its implementation and will focus on strengthening the existing networks further, strengthening and networking WHRDs from Mandera, Busia, Turkana, Migori, Kwale and Kajiado Counties for the years January 2022 – December 2023.