Focus
Voices for Change, Africa
The Voices for Change (V4C), Africa project is building the capacity of human rights defenders, civil society groups, and journalists to work together to raise public awareness and launch advocacy campaigns focused on human rights violations.
Years active: 2017-present
Operating in East and West Africa since 2017 – with a focus on Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria – the long-term goal of V4C is to increase accountability for serious human rights abuses.
To date, the project has supported a wide range of campaigns and reports in areas including high-level corruption, gender-based violence, and police brutality.
Capacity building measures include training and mentoring to leading civil society groups and journalists, as well as facilitating roundtables and other networking mechanisms, providing opportunities for collaboration and connections between like-minded actors working on human rights issues.
V4C is currently implemented in partnership with Africa Uncensored and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). Africa Uncensored is an independent investigative media organisation based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is led by the award-winning reporter John-Allan Namu. CJID is a think-tank and NGO supporting and empowering the African media, with headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, and operations in a range of countries including Ghana.
V4C is implemented with the support of the Wellspring Philanthropic Fund and currently runs until October 2025.
Latest stories
Kenya Allows Safe Abortion. So Why Are Women Dying?
Wealth inequalities and a growing conservative backlash are combining to put lives at risk.
Championing Justice and Human Rights in Ghana
Voices for Change equips partners with essential investigative and advocacy tools.
Ghana: How Local Media Defied Pressure Over Vast Mine Deal
Volunteer-run station asked questions about a controversial salt mining project. Then the threats and violence began.
Kenya: Media and NGOs Join Forces to Protect Human Rights
A series of investigative reports and civil society-led campaigns will highlight violations and call for action on abuses.
Kenyans Maimed by the State Demand Accountability
Despite scores of killings during a deadly crackdown on protest, no police officers have been arrested or charged.
How Uganda Tried to Silence Protest
Young anti-corruption activists tell IWPR of abuse they suffered in police detention.
Separatists Abroad Are Funding a Conflict in Nigeria. Others Pay the Price
How overseas crowdfunding is fuelling a violent campaign by militants linked to a self-styled government in exile.
Nigeria: School Dropouts Face Hardship and Abuse
Child street hawkers are a common sight in country which tops the global chart for dropouts with 18.3 million boys and girls out of education.
Press Freedom Struggles in Kenya
Cases of harassment have mounted amid a surge in police brutality as well as overt government antagonism.
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