Ugandan gender justice advocate receives EU Award

10 July 2014

On 1 July 2014, Gladys Canogura, Director of Kitgum Women’s Peace Initiative (KIWEPI), was jointly awarded the European Union annual Human Rights Defenders Award with two other Ugandans, Mohamed Ndifuna and Christine Alalo. The award honours the achievements of an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of human rights in the last year.

Ms Canogura, longtime friend and ally of the Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, was recognized for her work raising awareness and advocating for human rights within communities in Northern Uganda, with a focus on advocacy against all forms of violence and abuse against women and children. KIWEPI provides psychological support and assistance programmes for young women and girls formerly abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

KIWEPI has also worked to foster a peaceful and informed society by promoting peace building and conflict resolution, economic empowerment, and the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence. Through their advocacy, they have promoted the involvement of women in peace building.