The Human Rights Centre Uganda

We extend our sincere appreciation to all the phenomenal women who joined us for the 9th Annual #WHRDsConference26. Your participation enriched the discussions on economic justice and the need to expand opportunities for women to achieve economic independence. Special appreciation to our Keynote Speaker, Dr @KigoziMaggie , and our Guest of Honour, @Dr_KatjaK , for their insightful contributions. We also thank our panel speakers for sharing their expertise and perspectives, which enriched the discussions and challenged us to think more deeply about advancing women’s economic rights. We thank our partners, @DefendDefenders , @UNODCEastAfrica , @IrlEmbUganda for their continued support. At @HRCUG , we remain committed to advancing women’s rights and ensuring that women human rights defenders #WHRDs have the protection and opportunities they need to pursue their work, exercise their rights and participate meaningfully in decisions that affect them. #WHRDsConference26

🤝Together, we can achieve even more in advancing women’s rights and promoting gender equality. Thank you, @UNODC_EA, for your continued support towards this conference and your commitment to promoting accountability, transparency and the protection of Women Human Rights Defenders. Such support remains vital in strengthening efforts to promote and protect the rights of all women in #Uganda. #WHRDsConference26

“Make sure that the money you put in the bank, particularly in your savings account, is actually earning you something. Ask yourself what return am I getting on my savings? Explore other investment options, such as bonds and other financial instruments, where your money can generate returns. Do not simply keep your money idle. Set aside a portion of your income and put it somewhere it can grow and generate passive income. Financial independence begins with making your money work for you.” — Dr. @KigoziMaggie, Keynote Speaker, #WHRDsConference26

🇦🇹🇺🇬| “ As we open the #WHRDsConference26 today, let us remember that economic justice is ultimately about dignity. It is about whether women can make decisions about their own lives. Whether they can build assets. Whether they can create opportunities for their children. Whether they can fulfil their potential. And whether they can move from merely surviving to truly thriving. Because when women prosper, families prosper. When families prosper, communities prosper. And when communities prosper, nations prosper. I wish you fruitful deliberations and a successful conference.” - @Dr_KatjaK #WHRDsConference26

“ 🇦🇹 🇺🇬| Austria is proud to support #Uganda's efforts to advance human rights, gender equality, integrity and access to justice. Through our partnerships with institutions such as , CARE, UNFPA, UNODC and many civil society organizations, we seek to promote both legal empowerment and economic empowerment. Because these two objectives cannot be separated. A woman who cannot access justice is less able to access economic opportunity.” — @Dr_KatjaK #WHRDsConference26

“ Some men fear that women's empowerment means losing influence , authority or status. A society doesn’t become weaker when women advance . It becomes stronger.” - @Dr_KatjaK #WHRDsConference26

'' It is a great honour to join you today at the 9th Annual #WHRDsConference26 I would like to begin by congratulating the @HRCUG , @DefendDefenders, @UNODCEastAfrica , Phenomenal Women Global, and all partners who have made this important gathering possible. This conference has become much more than an annual event. It is a space for reflection, solidarity, learning and action. It brings together women who, often against considerable odds, defend the rights of others and contribute to building a fairer and more just society.'' - @Dr_KatjaK #WHRDsConference26

Thank you, @Hassan_shire , for gracing the #WHRDsConference26. We are grateful to @DefendDefenders for its longstanding support of the conference since its inception in 2018. The protection and promotion of women human rights defenders’ rights in #Uganda is a shared responsibility. We value this partnership and its continued contribution to advancing the work of women defenders. #WHRDsConference26

"To our fellow #WHRDs and organisational leaders, let us speak openly about the challenges we face and share approaches that have worked. I hope each participant leaves with a practical step to strengthen their financial future and that our organisations identify possibilities for greater stability. The recommendations captured in our conference should guide further advocacy, partnerships and programming. Our ability to continue defending human rights is closely connected to the wellbeing of the people and institutions doing that work. Let us use this conference to strengthen both and to create greater opportunities for women to build lasting economic security.''- @msekaggya #WHRDsConference26

🗣️ “@DefendDefenders is committed to advancing the rights and well being of #WHRDs . An equally important aspect of this commitment has been our investment in establishment and strengthening of #WHRDs network and the coalitions at both national and regional levels. These networks provide critical platform for solidarity, peer support, information sharing, collective advocacy, and coordinated response to threat and violations. They strengthen the collective voice and influence of women defenders, enabling them to engage more effectively with government, regional human rights mechanisms, and other decision makers. In doing so, they contribute not only to protection of #WHRDs, but also to advancing women's leadership and participating in shaping policies and systems that affect their rights and lives.” — @Hassan_shire #WHRDsConference26

“It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 9th Annual #WHRDsConference26 . I would like to recognise Ms. Margaret Sekaggya for her steadfast leadership at @HRCUG and her continued support for the work of #WHRDs and the advancement of women’s rights. DefendDefenders is proud to support this conference and the important work it represents.” - @Hassan_shire #WHRDsConference26

"When funding is reduced, delayed or comes to an end, the consequences reach beyond programmes. They affect staffing, employment security and the livelihoods of those who carry out the work. Rent, school fees and medical expenses do not stop when a grant ends. For women, unequal access to assets and financial opportunities, together with unpaid care responsibilities, can make these pressures harder to manage. This conference is therefore a platform to examine sustainability at both the individual and organisational levels. We want to explore how we can remain resilient through uncertainty while building the financial foundations that allow us to plan beyond it. Women who devote their time to defending the rights of others must also have opportunities to secure their own futures. For individuals, earning an income is an important beginning. Building financial security also requires opportunities to save, make informed investment decisions, develop enterprises and own and control productive assets. These opportunities must be accessible to women with small or irregular incomes, as well as those in formal employment. Our discussions must recognise the barriers women face and identify the support needed to overcome them.'' - @msekaggya , ED , HRCU. #WHRDsConference26

"On behalf of the Board and staff of @HRCUG , I welcome you to our 9th Annual #WHRDsConference26 under the theme “From Survival to Wealth Generation: Advancing Economic Justice for Women.” Today, we consider how women can build lasting financial security and how our organisations can sustain the work that communities depend on. I thank @DefendDefenders , @IrlEmbUganda and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for their support. I also acknowledge our collaborating partners Phenomenal Women Global, speakers, moderators and organising team, and thank each of you for joining this conversation.'' -- @msekaggya , ED , HRCU. #WHRDsConference26

We are pleased to welcome our keynote speaker, @KigoziMaggie to the #WHRDsConference26 This year’s conference focuses on advancing economic justice for women and creating pathways for women to move from survival to wealth generation. #WHRDsConference26