The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Prof. Mary Lawlor, has called on the Government of Uganda to recognise and protect women human rights defenders, saying their work is essential to advancing equality and democratic participation in the country.
Speaking during the National Conference of Women Human Rights Defenders, Prof. Lawlor emphasised the need for stronger networks among women activists to enhance collective protection and amplify their voices.
“Women human rights defenders should build networks between themselves in order to help protect them and to mobilise together to strengthen their work to achieve women’s rights,” she said.
“The government of Uganda must listen to women human rights defenders, because they are allies to the government. They are there to help the government support equal rights of women.”
Prof. Lawlor noted that women who advocate for marginalized groups face heightened risks, including harassment, intimidation, imprisonment, online attacks, and violence, due to gender discrimination and patriarchal cultural norms.
“If you are a woman human rights defender, it’s worse because you are taking up the rights of marginalized communities,” she said. “When you challenge forced marriage, violence against women, female genital mutilation, discrimination against ethnic minorities or LGBTQ persons, you are often opposing entrenched cultural and social attitudes. Women defenders are targeted through harassment, imprisonment, killings, and attacks on their families.”
As Uganda enters a politically active period ahead of national elections, Lawlor urged authorities to ensure a free and fair environment free from intimidation.
“Elections are a time of great hope but also great instability,” she said. “There should be a free and fair election without any form of intimidation against individual women human rights defenders or election monitors. You are doing legitimate, necessary work, and you are recognised internationally.”
Uganda is a party to the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which affirms the right of individuals and groups to promote and protect human rights, including through monitoring elections.
