Women's Environmental Forum

Human Rights Protection, Safety & Security Program (HRPSSP)

Protection Dignity Safety Justice

PROGRAM VISION

A safe, enabling, and just civic space where women, youth, and communities can defend human rights, environmental justice, and the planet without fear, violence, or repression.

PROGRAM GOAL

To protect human rights defendersespecially women environmental and climate defendersby strengthening safety, security, legal protection, and collective resilience against threats, violence, intimidation, and rights violations.

WHY THIS PROGRAM EXISTS (PROBLEM STATEMENT)

Human rights defenders (HRDs), particularly women and grassroots activists, face:

• Threats, harassment, and intimidation
• Arrests, criminalization, and legal persecution
• Gender-based violence and online abuse
• Surveillance, digital attacks, and data insecurity
• Trauma, burnout, and isolation

Women defenders experience layered risks due to gender, power imbalances, and civic space restrictions. Without protection, justice work becomes dangerous and unsustainable.

WHO THE PROGRAM SERVES (TARGET GROUPS)

Primary:

• Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs)
• Women Environmental & Climate Defenders
• Grassroots activists and community leaders

Secondary:

• Youth human rights activists
• Women-led CSOs and community groups
• Communities resisting rights violations

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

1. Enhance physical, digital, and psychosocial safety of human rights defenders
2. Provide rapid response and emergency protection support
3. Strengthen legal protection and access to justice
4. Build collective protection and solidarity mechanisms
5. Promote accountability for human rights violations

PROGRAM PILLARS (CORE STRUCTURE)

Pillar 1: Physical Safety & Risk Protection

Reducing immediate harm

• Risk assessments and safety planning
• Safe movement and travel protocols
• Emergency relocation and shelter referrals
• Incident response coordination
• Community-based protection measures

Pillar 2: Digital Security & Online Safety

Protecting defenders in digital spaces

• Digital security training (safe communication, data protection)
• Protection from online harassment and surveillance
• Secure documentation of violations
• Awareness on digital rights and privacy

Pillar 3: Legal Protection & Access to Justice

Defending rights through the law

• Legal literacy and rights awareness
• Emergency legal aid and referrals
• Court support and case monitoring
• Documentation of violations for redress
• Engagement with oversight and justice institutions

Pillar 4: Psychosocial Support & Feminist Care

Protecting wellbeing, not just bodies

• Trauma-informed psychosocial support
• Healing spaces and peer support circles
• Burnout prevention and self-care practices
• Survivor-centered response mechanisms

Pillar 5: Rapid Response & Emergency Support

Acting when it matters most

• Emergency response mechanisms
• Short-term protection assistance
• Emergency communication support
• Confidential case management and referrals

Pillar 6: Collective Protection, Advocacy & Accountability

Safety through solidarity

• Community protection networks
• Early warning and alert systems
• Documentation and reporting of violations
• Advocacy for defender protection and civic space
• Engagement with state and non-state actors

PROGRAM APPROACH (HOW WE WORK)

The program is guided by:

• Human rights-based approach
• Feminist, survivor-centered protection
• Do-no-harm and confidentiality
• Consent, dignity, and agency
• Community-led and trust-based action

IMPLEMENTATION MODEL (PROGRAM FLOW)

1. Risk identification and referral
2. Confidential assessment and consent
3. Immediate safety or legal response
4. Psychosocial and wellbeing support
5. Follow-up protection and case management
6. Documentation, learning, and advocacy

KEY ACTIVITIES

• Safety and security trainings
• Risk assessments and safety plans
• Legal literacy workshops
• Emergency response actions
• Psychosocial support sessions
• Community protection dialogues
• Advocacy and documentation initiatives

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

• Defenders trained in safety and security
• Emergency cases supported
• Legal cases documented and referred
• Functional community protection networks
• Increased awareness of defender rights

OUTCOMES

• Reduced harm and risk to defenders
• Improved safety and confidence among activists
• Increased access to justice and remedies
• Stronger solidarity and rapid response systems
• More accountable human rights environment

LONG-TERM IMPACT

• Safer civic space for women and human rights defenders
• Reduced violence, intimidation, and criminalization
• Stronger, sustainable justice and environmental movements
• Protected leadership advancing WOMEN. JUSTICE. PLANET.

CROSS-CUTTING PRINCIPLES

• Gender equality and intersectionality
• Confidentiality and security
• Peace and conflict sensitivity
• Accountability and rule of law
• Human dignity and justice

WHY HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION (SAFETY & SECURITY) SHOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT PROGRAM

1. Protection is Not a Component Its a Mandate

Safety and security work:

• Requires specialized systems (risk assessments, rapid response, confidentiality)
• Involves legal, psychosocial, and emergency interventions
• Carries high duty-of-care responsibilities

This cannot sit as a sub-activity under advocacy, livelihoods, or leadership. It must stand alone.

Distinct Objectives & Expertise

The program has:

• Unique goals (protection, harm prevention, emergency response)
• Specialized skills (security, legal response, trauma-informed care)
• Different ethical standards (confidentiality, consent, do-no-harm)

These are different from programmatic advocacy or development work.

3. High-Risk, High-Accountability Work

Protection programs:

• Manage sensitive cases
• Handle personal data and survivor information
• Engage with law enforcement, courts, and protection actors

Donors and partners expect:

• Separate governance
• Clear SOPs
• Dedicated staff and safeguards

Strategic Value to WEF-Uganda

As an independent program, it:

• Protects leaders produced by Eco-Sisters Leadership Academy
• Safeguards activists in Resource Governance & Climate Justice programs
• Enables safe participation across all WEF-Uganda programs

It becomes the protective backbone of the organization.

Donor & Global Alignment

Globally, protection is funded separately by:

• Human rights and civic space donors
• Protection and emergency response funds
• Women human rights defender (WHRD) funds

Having it as an independent program:

• Increases funding eligibility
• Enhances institutional credibility
• Allows rapid mobilization of protection resources

RECOMMENDED POSITIONING

Program Name (choose one):

• Human Rights Protection & Safety Program (HRPSP)
• Defenders Protection, Safety & Security Program
• Human Rights & Civic Space Protection Program

HOW IT SITS WITHIN WEF-UGANDA

WEF-Uganda Program Architecture (Clean & Strategic):

1. Eco-Sisters Leadership Academy
2. Human Rights Protection & Safety Program (Independent)
3. Women Defenders Protection Fund (Emergency-focused, linked but distinct)
4. Women in Resource Governance Program
5. Green Livelihoods, Climate Justice & Resilience Program

Protection supports all but is governed independently.

GOVERNANCE RECOMMENDATION

• Dedicated Protection Lead / Coordinator
• Confidential case management system
• Independent ethics & safeguarding oversight
• Clear referral pathways and SOPs

ONE-SENTENCE POSITIONING (USE THIS PUBLICLY)

The Human Rights Protection, Safety & Security Program is an independent flagship program of WEF-Uganda dedicated to safeguarding women human rights and environmental defenders through prevention, rapid response, legal protection, and collective resilience.