#EquiTalks – Episode 20: Hellen Lunkuse, breaking chains for women and girls in Uganda

In this episode, we explore human rights advocacy in Uganda with Hellen Lunkuse, founder and executive director of the Rape Hurts Foundation.

Hellen shares her commitment to supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, combating human trafficking and modern slavery, and protecting the rights of women, girls, and sexual minorities. As part of her participation in Equitas’ International Human Rights Training Program in 2025, she reflects on her work in economic empowerment, psychosocial support, and the challenges of protecting rights in a hostile legal and cultural context.  

Listen to this inspiring conversation about the role of human rights education, resilience, and collective action in transforming communities: 

“I rise so others can rise. I speak so that silence is broken. I act so digging lives.” 

#EquiTalks: Voices of Human Rights Education is a podcast that amplifies the voices of people defending human rights, whether they work with Equitas, are partners in Canada and around the world, participants in our human rights training programs, or perhaps even you one day. We believe it is important to share ideas about human rights and learn from one another to advance equality and social justice, and we invite you to join us on this journey.

Each episode features conversations designed to deepen your understanding of the potential of human rights education and how it can be used innovatively to strengthen communities and individuals. These accessible discussions explore the journeys of human rights defenders, the lessons learned, and their visions of human rights and social justice in different contexts.