Human rights defenders around the world face increasing repression, including surveillance, judicial harassment, and violence:
In the past 14 months, Equitas trained 164 human rights defenders from 40 countries. Nearly one in three faced threats, surveillance, physical violence, or the targeting of their families, yet not a single one stopped their work.
Across East and the Horn of Africa, where civic space is increasingly restricted, these challenges are often compounded for women, youth, and LGBTQI+ activists. One lesson has emerged clearly from Equitas’ work with defenders in the region: protection is not only individual, but also collective. Strong networks, partnerships, and support systems help human rights defenders continue their work despite growing risks.
To help strengthen this collective resilience, Equitas convened the East and Horn of Africa Holistic Security Online Forum on May 26, 2026, bringing together defenders from across the region to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and explore collective approaches to protection and well-being.
A holistic approach to protection
Human rights defenders face a range of interconnected challenges that can affect their safety, well-being, and ability to sustain their work over time. Recognizing these realities, the forum adopted a holistic security approach that considers the physical, digital, and psychosocial dimensions of protection.
The objective was not only to identify challenges, but also to create a collaborative safe space where participants could share experiences, learn from one another, and contribute to the development of regional guidelines on holistic security.
The forum was facilitated by alumni of the East Africa Human Rights Training Program, with support from Equitas staff, reflecting our commitment to strengthening local leadership and peer learning networks.
Understanding the challenges
Participants identified three recurring challenges affecting human rights defenders across the region:
- Limited access to resources and support systems
- Growing pressure on civic participation
- The emotional toll of defending human rights in difficult environments
Discussions also highlighted how experiences can differ depending on a person’s identity, role, and context. Women, youth, and LGBTQI+ defenders often encounter additional barriers that can affect their safety, visibility, and access to opportunities and support.
These realities underscore the importance of protection strategies that address not only immediate risks, but also long-term well-being and resilience.
Learning from collective experience
A central focus of the forum was identifying approaches that are already helping defenders strengthen their resilience and continue their work safely.
Participants shared examples of practices that support individual well-being, foster supportive organizational cultures, and strengthen collaboration among civil society actors. These included:
- Prioritizing self-care and mental well-being
- Creating supportive workplace practices
- Investing in organizational preparedness
- Building networks of solidarity and mutual support.
A key lesson from the forum was that resilience is collective. Strong partnerships, peer networks, and collaboration among organizations help defenders access support, share knowledge, and continue their work despite growing challenges.
Supporting human rights defenders over the long term
The East and Horn of Africa Holistic Security Online Forum demonstrated the importance of creating spaces where human rights defenders can connect, learn from one another, and strengthen their resilience.
By bringing together diverse voices and experiences, the forum contributed to the development of practical, context-sensitive approaches to protection while reinforcing regional networks of solidarity.
The forum was part of Equitas’ Uniting to Protect Human Rights project, which aims to strengthen the capacity, resilience, and protection of human rights defenders operating in restrictive contexts. Implemented with the financial support of Global Affairs Canada, the project reflects Equitas’ commitment to helping human rights defenders continue their vital work safely, effectively, and sustainably.
