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 from the project
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.
Nigeria: FGM Rises Amid Pandemic
Campaigners warn that lockdown left many girls and young women vulnerable to the practice.
Kenya: Security Forces Blamed for Rise in Forced Disappearances
Only around one in three of all those abducted return alive.