Anti‑gender movements have rapidly gained visibility and influence across the world. What began as loosely coordinated opposition to “gender ideology” has evolved into a well‑funded and politically connected force shaping laws, public discourse, and international policy. In this blog we explore how anti-gender movements affect our everyday lives and realisation of human rights. And more […]
Written by: Elphic Tossi, Founder and Director, OneMillionTrees4Kilifi For years, the communities of Kokotoni and Rabai in Kilifi County endured the harsh realities of limestone mining. Daily blasts shook their homes, dust blanketed their villages, and abandoned quarries left dangerous scars on the landscape. Respiratory illnesses became common, schools struggled with dusty classrooms, and local clinics […]
Written by: Elle Khaoma Have you ever wondered what survival looks like in a country that insists upon your demise while simultaneously refusing to acknowledge your existence? Well, if you haven’t, I am here to tell you there is something to be said about the cognitive dissonance brought about by being constantly berated for supposedly […]
On Thursday, June 25, during Helsinki Pride Week, Korjaamo Kino will host the Finnish premiere of the film Rafiki – love, resistance, and belonging. Following the screening, a panel discussion will delve into the film’s themes in relation to activism and lived experiences. Movie Night: Rafiki – Love, Resistance, and Belonging brings together culture, activism, […]
Written by: Hamida Isaac, Coordinator Kinango Human Rights Network Kinango and other parts of Kwale County, communities continue to bear the burden of environmental degradation linked to industrial activities, land disputes, extractive operations, and climate-related vulnerabilities. Through the support of the Haki Ni Yetu grant, efforts have been strengthened to advance environmental justice, climate action, […]
Written by: Fardosa Mustafa, Network Coordinator Environmental Rights Organisation (EROG) Across East Africa, communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis are increasingly facing environmental destruction, shrinking civic space, and threats linked to powerful private and political interests. Land and Environment Defenders (LEDs) who speak out against pollution, unsafe extractive activities, land grabbing, and environmental […]
KIOS launches an open call for Expressions of Interest to support human rights work in Sri Lanka carried out by local civil society organisations. Smaller organisations with limited funding opportunities are encouraged to apply. A separate info session on the call will be held on June 10 at 13:30 Sri Lankan time via Zoom. Applications to this call must be submitted by 23 […]
Working at KIOS has really opened my eyes to what defending human rights actually means. It’s not just slogans, campaigns, or numbers in a report. It’s people who decide to act, even when it’s difficult or even dangerous. These are the people we wanted to highlight more strongly through the Support Brave Actions campaign. A […]
The Haki Ni Yetu (HNY) Project is seeking qualified consultant(s) or consultancy companies to conduct the End of Project Evaluation (EPE) of its EU-funded project in Kenya.
Written by: Michelle Mwelesa June 25, 2024, is a date that will forever be etched in the memory of Kenya. Why? Parliament was occupied. In the heart of Nairobi, the nation’s capital once dubbed the “city under the sun,” a haunting silence lingers around Parliament Road. It is the kind of silence born not […]
This year, KIOS has invited human rights defender and lawyer Michelle Mwelesa from KIOS grantee Civic Freedom Forum to talk about defending the civil liberties. Michelle will be interviewed by journalist Liselott Lindström. The event is on the Sunday 17 May at 17:45 as part of the talks and discussions at the World Village Festival. […]
A rapidly evolving situation in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley is raising serious human rights concerns, as large-scale forced evictions are displacing thousands of people from long-established riverbank settlements. The evictions directly affect communities where Samari Utthan Sewa (SUS), a KIOS grantee, is currently implementing its work. The Government of Nepal has launched a demolition drive targeting so-called squatter settlements along major […]
When Cyclone Ditwah triggered a nationwide emergency in Sri Lanka last November, KIOS moved quickly to channel extra funding to three trusted local grantees. Through our grantees, help could reach people living in remote areas and those often left outside mainstream relief. Here’s what was achieved, and why locally rooted response mattered. A Climate Disaster […]
KIOS will be launching an open call for applications for civil society organisations working on human rights issues in Sri Lanka at end of May–early June. The focus will be on the three thematic areas of the current strategy: The call is scheduled to open at the end of May–early June and will remain open […]
As communities across Taita Taveta County marked International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, the County Government reaffirmed its commitment to tackling sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) while promoting women’s rights and economic empowerment by ensuring gender responsive budgeting including analyzing revenue and expenditure to reduce gender inequalities, ensuring women benefit from employment, compensation, and community development, […]
Across Kenya’s informal settlements, gender-based violence (GBV) often remains hidden behind silence, stigma, and systemic barriers. Survivors frequently face intimidation, limited access to justice, and inadequate support services. In communities already grappling with poverty and marginalization, many survivors struggle to find trusted pathways to report abuse or seek help. However, a powerful shift is underway. […]
In Nepal, female and transgender sex workers continue to endure persistent violence, discrimination, and political invisibility. Their experiences seldom reach the spaces where laws are debated and decided, leaving a profound gap between the protection guaranteed by human rights frameworks and the realities of everyday life. Against this, KIOS grantee FAITH has chosen a path centred on […]
Nepal is preparing for the 2026 parliamentary elections in a climate where civil society feels simultaneously optimistic and tense. Grassroots organisations supported by KIOS describe the atmosphere as twofold: expectations for the elections are high, yet the civic space is narrowing due to increased polarisation, the spread of misinformation, and growing pressure on human rights […]
![IMG_1816[1]](https://kios.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/img-18161-360x240.jpg)
