KAMPALA– As Uganda joins the rest of the World to commemorate the International women defenders day, the Honourary counsel of Liberia to Uganda Thelma Awori condemns acts of violations against women defenders urging them not to relent in the quest for a violence free society.
Some of the women Defenders who participated in the celebrations
Speaking at the commemoration event held at her residence in Ntinda , Thelma Awori noted that women Human Rights defenders are facing numerous challenges including attacks that result into injuries, restrictions within the Civic space and closure of their organizations among others.
She says that the rate at which violence is occurring across the world calls for concerted efforts that must include human rights defenders.
“The stories of human rights abuse are totally unacceptable , the rape and all types of abuse are totally unacceptable. Its heart breaking whenever i watch BBC Al Jazeera, i find it difficult to listen them anymore.”
The commemoration organized by the National Coalition of human rights defenders in Uganda sought to highlight the challenges that need to be addressed
The protection officer at the coalition Dorothy Kiyai says because of the many challenges women human rights defenders face they have setup a fund to support them.
“Our role is to stand up for those women who defend people whose rights have been violated . These are the women at the forefront are the ones we celebrate.”
She has further urged parliament to enact the human rights defenders protection bill to ensure that the work of all human rights defenders in Uganda is recognized and protected
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