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
Press Freedom Struggles in Kenya
Cases of harassment have mounted amid a surge in police brutality as well as overt government antagonism.
Tanzania: Police Under Scrutiny Over Disappearances
“The issue inflicts immense anguish upon families left not knowing whether their loved ones are alive, suffering, or dead.”
Tanzania: How Fetching Firewood Risks Women’s Lives
In rural areas, collecting fuel is not only exhausting, but leaves women vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse.
Ugandan Women Risk Their Lives to Access Abortion
“Many girls are dying because we have chosen to ignore them.”
Ugandan Women Pay the Price of Exploitation
Activists warn that vulnerable domestic workers risk abuse, often returning with serious health conditions.
Tanzania: Ethiopian Migrants Languish in Prison
Many remain trapped in detention due to a lack of resources to deport them.
Kenya: Women Bearing the Brunt of Climate Change
An ongoing drought has served to amplify historic gender inequalities in arid areas of the country.
Missing Persons, a Hidden Tragedy
Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide have disappeared due to conflict, disaster and crime. Many are never heard from again.
Kenya: The Young Men Who Disappear
Many victims - usually people from the poorest slum areas - are never found. Campaigners say the police are often responsible.
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