Economic and Social Rights Centre- Hakijamii

In this new year, let us continue to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and give them the power to demand for their rights. Happy New Year 2025!

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) bear the disproportionate burden caused by climate change challenges. That's why it's important to include them in legal and governance frameworks. In the last two years, we have collaborated with WWF-Kenya to enhance the expertise of Judges and advance jurisprudence in climate governance, biodiversity conservation, and Economic and Social Cultural Rights while handling land and environmental cases. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/d_AtSJeS

The team at Hakijamii wishes you and your loved ones a #MerryChristmas

To all our esteemed partners, stakeholders, and friends, please note that our offices will remain closed for the festive season from Thursday 19th December 2024, to Tuesday 7th January 2025. We will resume officially on Wednesday 8th January 2025. For any urgent matters, please reach out to us via email at esrc@hakijamii.com

Last week from December 9th to 10th 2024, we held a two-day capacity-building workshop in Naivasha for Hakijamii's pro-bono lawyers in partnership with Kenya National Association of Water Resources Users' Associations (KeNAWRUA). This initiative marked another significant step in our efforts to promote human rights-based approaches in water resource management (WRM) through judicial mechanisms.  The workshop, accredited by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee, enabled participating lawyers to earn 2 CPD units, further enhancing their professional credentials while contributing to critical public interest litigation.  The introduction of the Lawyers in Water Justice Café served as a platform for networking and sustained collaboration among legal professionals dedicated to defending water rights and promoting equitable resource management.  We are proud of this milestone, which not only enhances the capacity of our pro-bono lawyers but also strengthens Hakijamii’s mission to integrate human rights principles into WRM.

Happy Jamhuri Day to all Kenyans and communities who have contributed to 61 years of our country’s progress and prosperity.

Scenes from our engagement with communities in Korogocho slums as we celebrated this year's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day themed “Health: It’s on the government.” Investing in UHC strengthens equity, boosts the economy & creates more resilient societies where health services are accessible and affordable for all. The government of Kenya should increase the health budget to a minimum of 15% share of the national budget (Abuja Declaration) and 5% of the GDP (WHO recommendation) to health spending.

Today as we commemorate the International Human Rights Day, we took part in a pre-session meeting with diplomatic mission residents in Kenya to showcase CSOs interventions on the Right to Health and provide resident missions with first-hand sources of information on human rights. We remain cognizant of the fact that human rights offer protection, ensuring everyone, everywhere can live in dignity and respect. Upholding human rights isn’t only about addressing present injustices, it's about reshaping unjust societies, empowering marginalized groups and calling on governments to invest in health for all and protect people who are experiencing financial hardship due to health spending; while ensuring that the people who still do not have access to essential health services can also access them.

Inspired by Nelson Mandela's words, we must be the change we wish to see. That change will only be realized if we unite to fight for the rights of marginalized and vulnerable members of our communities. #Mondaymotivation #HumanRights #hakijamii #puttingpeoplefirst

Thank you WWF-Kenya for making it possible for our team and community representatives to attend the just concluded ELC conference in Eldoret and connect with individuals and organizations working to amplify the voices of those most affected by effects of climate change. We're working together to empower communities to use their voices and increase collective power to demand action and accountability from the policy makers and leaders; because climate justice requires accountability. We appreciate your generous support and for investing in our work as we advocate for a society that guarantees the protection, promotion and fulfillment of all rights for all people.