Extractive industries, energy and tourism mega-projects have invaded indigenous and communal territories in Uganda, causing conflicts, criminalization, displacement, and environmental destruction. Communities, often led by indigenous women, are fighting back against this invasion. This has exposed them to all kinds of attacks. Attacks on rural women defenders can lead to assassination. They weaken leadership, generate internal tensions, and drain communities and movements of time, energy, and resources. Some rural women Human Rights Defenders have suffered assassination attempts, sexual harassment, raids, smear campaigns and lawsuits. Some women defenders end up going into exile to protect their lives and that of their families.
In this hostile context, RUWODNET is working with Rural Women Human Rights Defenders to build new models of collective protection, based on respect for the web of life, mutual care, equality, and social justice. Collective protection combines community knowledge, forms of organization, and support networks built up at the national and international level. When there is a strong, supportive, and well-organized social network, it is more difficult for perpetrators of violence to intimidate, divide, or quell resistance. RUWODNENT is supporting the creation of collective protection networks. A community-based, collective protection model activates a network of immediate support based on the culture, capacities, and existing resources in the places and organizations where women defenders work. When communities carry out community consultations or when they block the entry of mining companies, their territories are protected from the damage, violence, and harmful effects of extractives. In other words, they become more united and less exposed to risks. Their capacity to protect themselves increases.