logo

How lobby invest in activists' mental health as they take to streets

It says that “throughout the challenge, we focused on selfcare, mindfulness and supporting each other.”

image
by GORDON OSEN

News02 August 2024 - 02:00

In Summary


  • •The lobby instituted a 30-day initiative to get human rights defenders plugged into daily habits that prioritise self-care and mental soundness.
  • •The lobby says it held over 200 psychosocial therapy sessions in 2023 for human rights defenders.
Some of the protesters arrested by police during a protest in Nairobi CBD on June 18, 2024

While activists and young protestors take to the street championing ideals they hold dear, a lobby is busy providing them with mental health assistance and mentorship.

The lobby, Defenders Coalition, pumps money into training personnel deployed to ensure the activists are psychologically sound during street protests.

It says in its 2023 annual report that it organised various outreach programmes to care for the mental fitness of activists through seminars and initiatives.

The lobby says it held over 200 psychosocial therapy sessions in 2023 for human rights defenders.

The lobby said 84 per cent of human rights defenders in its network reported changed habits.

It organised a workshop and provided exposure and training to 800 activists who learned the significance of maintaining law and order during protests.

The lobby instituted a 30-day initiative to guide human rights defenders to prioritise self-care and mental soundness.

“Defenders Coalition facilitated a 30-day self-care challenge during the Mental Awareness Month of September. It was a reminder that while we work to support and help others, we also need to always take care of ourselves,” the report reads.

“We acknowledge all who joined us. Self-care isn’t just for a month-its a lifelong commitment. Defenders Coalition stands strong in support of mental well-being for all.”

The lobby said it gave modest grants to 11 networks of activists to implement various interventions and projects to alleviate their socioeconomic status.

It also rolled out some 103 innovative programmes to shore up financial literacy.

Drawn from all 47 counties, the 103 trainees included 53 women, 50 men, seven individuals from sexual minority groups, and three persons with disabilities.

The Academy served as a unique platform for training, networking, and sharing experiences among HRDs

It also trained six activists on entrepreneurship and sustainability of income-generating activities as a source of livelihood.

The report says the lobby’s focus was to build the socioeconomic well-being and resilience of the activists so that they are not economically vulnerable.

“Under this priority area, the Defenders Coalition focused on building the socio-economic well-being and resilience of HRDs and their organizations. Interventions focused on empowering HRDs to secure their livelihoods and income security for self-reliance as well as promoting their mental health and resilience,” the report reads.


logo© The Star 2024. All rights reserved