Reported by Martin Musiime Lawyer and Human Rights Activist

Some of the Phenomenal Women who have Inspired and Contributed to the work of the ISHR

In its activities, the International Society of Human Rights has worked with inspiring women from all over the world. These women have added value to our work, we are proud to learn from them. In this article, we profile a few of these distinguished women.

Rinu Oduala

Rinu Oduala is a 23-year-old Nigerian lady whose activism has made her one of Nigeria’s most distinguished social media influencers. With her big following on social media, Rinu has reached millions of people through her activism. She is most notable for her mobilization skills during the #ENDSARS protests. The ENDSARS movement saw women-led protests across Nigeria calling for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a notorious police outfit responsible for gross abuse of human rights and arbitrary killings. Because of her involvement in activism, she became the target of state reprisal. Her bank accounts were frozen and she faced constant threats to her life.

Rinu has also been involved in voter sensitization during the 2023 general election in Nigeria. In her work, she believes in the collective effort of young people in bringing about a Nigeria they wish to live in. This is evidenced in some of her statements such as:

‘Change does not occur overnight. It happens step by step. Day by day. And we have taken a thousand steps into the future.’

She has been featured on some Twitter spaces hosted by ISHR as a panellist. We celebrate and hail her for her important work.

Pascale Solages

Pascale is a Haitian Feminist and Human Rights Activist. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Gender and Development from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. She also holds a Human rights Degree in Education and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Women, Gender and Sexuality studies. Pascale is a feminist community organizer who has been pivotal in the founding of several women’s organisations in Haiti, among them; NÈGÈS MAWON which aims for the ‘ liberation of all forms of violence and oppression suffered by young Haitian girls and women.’

Pascale has been a member of numerous international bodies such as; the Multisectoral Coordination Committee of the Global Fund in Haiti for HIV-AIDS, TB & Malaria. She has also worked with the ministry of women’s affairs in Haiti. Through the various platforms, lectures and public speaking events, Pascale has highlighted the situation of women in Haiti which is characterized by immense violence and subjugation of women.

The ISHR is not only proud of her work but also grateful for her contribution to our activities.

Olga Karatch

She is a Belarusian Politician, Human Rights activist, and Political Scientist.  Olga attained her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the European Humanitarian University in Vilnius, Lithuania.

At 26 years, Olga founded a group called Nash Dom that was fundamental in championing the rights of tenants in state-run buildings. Nash Dom has since given rise to other movements that advocate for civil and political rights in Belarus.

For her work and opposition to the Belarusian authoritarian regime, she has been arrested several times. Her life has also faced imminent threats causing her to flee to exile where she continues to rally for action against tyranny in Belarus.

Olga is a recipient of many awards including Peace Award Winner 2019: Grassroots Peace Worker, Radebeul Courage Prize, International Bremen Peace Award, and Weimar Human Rights Prize, among others. In 2007, she was honoured by The Belarusian group of Amnesty as the Human Rights Defender of the Year.

The ISHR is proud of her work. And remains committed to working with her in her efforts for the full realization of human rights and democracy in Belarus.

Dr. Josephine Ndagire

Josephine is a Ugandan lawyer, Academic, and the head of the ISHR Uganda Section.

She is a lecturer of Law at Makerere University Law School in Kampala, and an expert in Criminal Law, International Law, Human Rights, International Criminal Law, and Transitional Justice among others. Josephine has done work with the Office of the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights(OHCHR), The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF), The International Development Law Organization (IDLO), Penal Reform International (PRI). She has been recently appointed to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

She is an avid campaigner for Justice for the victims of sexual and gender-based violence particularly women. She does this through public lectures, publications, interviews, legal aid to victims, and advocacy at various diplomatic platforms.

ISHR is grateful to Josephine for being a trailblazer in championing Human Rights.

Wanjeri Nderu

She is a Kenyan Communications specialist and a Human Rights Advocate. Wanjeri is the current leader of the ISHR-Kenya Section.  Wanjeri is a campaigner against corruption in Kenya and an activist for gender equality. She has headlined several campaigns physically and online among them; #StopTheseThieves, a campaign against graft, #StopExtraJudicialKillings, and #LindaKatiba—aimed at constitutional governance among others. For her activism, she has been arrested and on other occasions forced to flee into hiding for her safety.

Wanjeri Nderu has been fundamental in the pursuit of justice for boys and girls who are victims of sexual violence in Kenya. She supports the victims by helping them through court processes where she follows up their cases with the prosecution, soliciting financial assistance for victims and rehabilitation. Wanjeri believes in a society where institutions work and everyone is held to account for their actions.

Dr. Krusch-Grün Carmen

She is one of the most significant and outstanding women in the ISHR. Carmen has been behind the wheel in seeing the growth of ISHR from what it is today. She heads the German Section of ISHR (IGFM) which by construction is the mother of ISHR-Global.

Carmen is dedicated to supporting all human Rights Defenders within the network. She also supports the HRDs who face persecution in their countries. Carmen also does international coordination between ISHR and other sister organizations. She has mentored many over the years to be champions of Human Rights in Europe and all over the world.

The ISHR is deeply indebted to Dr Krusch-Gruen Carmen.