Welcome to our website

Rural Women Defenders Network (RUWODNET) is a network of Rural Women Human Rights Defenders in Uganda and consists of individuals, women activists, women’s groups and organizations working in grassroots communities of Uganda. We strive to raise voices of women and realization of women’s rights.

Learn More

Our Mission

We strive to raise voices of rural women and realization of women’s rights through networking, capacity building and advocacy.

Our Vision

A Society of empowered women working in defense of Women’s Rights.

Our Objectives

1. Fostering networking among individuals, women activists, women’s groups and organizations working to defend the rights of women.
2. Strengthening the capacities of Women Human Rights Defenders in Uganda.
3. Promoting safety and security of rural Women Human Rights Defenders in Uganda.
4. Advocating for civic space that enables Rural Women Human Rights Defenders to organize, assemble, and associate peacefully.

Our Core Values

1. We are professionals in whatever we do and we work to ensure that interventions effectively reach rural women in a timely manner.
2. We are a network of rural women and work to address the challenges they face.
3. We utilize whatever resources we get for the defense of women’s rights.
3. We are committed to raising voice of rural women and realization of women’s rights.
4. We value human life and dignity of all regardless of sex, gender, race, sex orientation and economic status.
5. We complement the efforts of others in advancing the rights of women.
6. We extend genuine support and work in solidarity with others to advance women’s rights.
7. We are open, transparent and accountable to our actions.


Our Members

RUWODNET members include individuals, women lawyers, women activists, women leaders, female journalists, female media producers, unionists and environmentalists, women’s groups and organizations who strive to re-claim rights and advocate for the promotion of rights of women.

Become a Member

Areas of Coverage

We operate country wide in Western, Central, Eastern and Northern Uganda. This is because; our members are scattered all over Uganda the following sub-regions and Districts.

Western Uganda

1) Kigezi Sub-Region (Kabale, Kisoro, Kanungu, Rukungiri, Rubanda and Rukiga) Districts
2) Ankole Sub-Region (Buhweju, Bushenyi ,Ibanda, Isingiro, Kiruhura, Mbarara, Mitooma, Ntungamo, Rubirizi , Sheema, Kazo and Rwampara) Districts
3) Rwenzori Sub-Region (Kabalore, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kyenjojo, Kyegerwa, Kamwenge, Kitagwenda and Ntoroko) Districts
4) Bunyoro Sub-Region (Buliisa, Hoima, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kibaale, Kikuube, Kiryandongo and Masindi) Districts

Northern Uganda

1) Lango Sub-region (Alebtong, Amolatar, Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Oyam, Otuke and Kwania) Districts
2) Acholi Sub-Region (Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Nwoya, Lamwo, and Pader) Districts.
3) West Nile sub-region (Adjumani, Arua, Madi Okello, Koboko, Maracha, Moyo, Obongi, Nebbi, Pakwach, Yumbe and Zombo) Districts

Eastern Uganda

1) Busoga sub-region (Bugiri, Buyende, Iganga, Jinja, Kaliro, Kamuli, Luuka, Mayuge, Bugweri, Namayingo and Namutumba) Districts
2) Bugisu sub-region (Bududa, Bulambuli , Manafwa, Sironko and Mbale) Districts
3) Teso sub-region (Amuria, Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Kapelebyong, Katakwi, Kumi, Ngora, Serere and Soroti) Districts
4) Sebei Sub-region (Kapchorwa, Bukwo and Kween) Districts
5) Bukedi Sub-Region (Busia, Butebo, Pallisa, Tororo, Budaka, Butaleja and Kibuku) Districts
6) Karamoja Sub-Region (Kaabong, Karenga, Abim, Kotido, Moroto, Lusot, Amudat, Napak and Nakapiripirit) Districts.

Central Uganda

1) Central South Sub-Region (Bukomansimbi, Butambala, Gomba, Kalangala ,Kalungu, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Masaka, Rakai and Sembabule) Districts.
2) Central West Sub-Region (Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Mityana, Mubende, Nakaseke, Luweero and Nakasongola) Districts.
3) Central-Central Sub-Region (Mpigi, Kampala and Wakiso) Districts.
4) Central East Sub-Region (Kayunga, Mukono, Buikwe and Buvuma) Districts.

Our Activities

1) Establishing protection networks at the district, sub-regional, regional and national level

2) We Convene meetings to engage stakeholders and those with authority in protecting and promoting human rights

3) Providing legal aid Women Human Rights Defenders in rural areas in case of attacks

4) We review Laws that have an impact on Civic Space for feminist movements

5) We organize Networking meetings with other women’s organizations and other civil society organizations to exchange best practices

6) We conduct media Campaigns to promote awareness and understanding of women’s rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly the rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of association.

7) We mobilize resources in support of women human rights defenders in rural communities pf Uganda

8) We conduct trainings to build the capacities of Women Human Rights Defenders like training on understanding of Legal Framework for the Protection and Promotion of women’s rights, trainings physical and digital security, trainings on advocacy and Networking, trainings on understanding national, regional and international human rights mechanisms

9) We commemorate national and international days that have an impact on the work of Women Human Rights Defenders

10) We raise awareness on United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders

All Rights Reserved. © 2021 | Rural Women Defenders Network Theme By : HTML Design