The exploitation of natural resources, particularly oil and gas, Rare Earth Elements in Uganda and the Great Lakes Region presents significant challenges to human rights and gender equality. Communities living in resource rich regions often face land grabbing, forced evictions, environmental degradation, and loss of livelihoods. These violations disproportionately affect marginalized groups, especially women, who are key custodians of natural resources but remain underrepresented in decision making processes.

Our Human Rights and Gender Program seeks to address these challenges by advocating for the equitable and sustainable management of natural resources while safeguarding the rights of affected communities. We work to ensure Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) for resource hosting communities, strengthen grievance redress mechanisms, and promote transparency and accountability in natural resource governance.

A core focus of our program is empowering women and other vulnerable groups. We support initiatives that enhance women’s participation in resource governance, provide access to alternative livelihoods, and address the gendered impacts of environmental degradation. Additionally, we combat gender-based violence exacerbated by resource exploitation and raise awareness about the importance of gender equality in conservation and development.

Through this program, we aim to create a rights based and gender-responsive approach to natural resource management that prioritizes environmental sustainability, social justice, and community well-being.