For two decades, DefendDefenders has been at the forefront of safeguarding human rights defenders across the East and Horn of Africa. Founded in Uganda in 2005, we’ve grown to become the leading regional organization dedicated to protecting civic freedoms and championing the brave individuals and organizations who stand up for human rights.

As the Secretariat of the East & Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net), we proudly represent HRDs and their organizations in countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and beyond. We also host Pan-African Human Rights Defenders (AfricanDefenders) and hold consultative status with the UN ECOSOC, giving us a powerful voice on the international stage.

Our mandate covers vital areas: protection and security management, advocacy, capacity building, and communications. Over the past five years alone, we’ve provided over 15,853,60 protection grants, offered emergency assistance to more than 1,100 at-risk defenders, and delivered crucial legal aid. Through our innovative DefendersTech initiative, we’ve empowered countless individuals and organizations with comprehensive digital security training and support.

We’ve coordinated complex, multi-country programs, spearheaded digital incident-response workshops, and tackled misinformation across the region, always with a strong focus on marginalized groups. Our success is built on diversified funding and strong financial stewardship, making us a reliable partner for human rights programming.

As we look back on 20 years, we celebrate the tireless efforts of human rights defenders and the unwavering commitment of our partners and supporters. Here’s to another two decades of protecting those who protect us all. (SAMPLE TEXT)