News
Anti‑Gender Movements: A Global Threat to Human Rights and Civil Society
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…
Calling Back Life in Kokotoni: How a Community Found Its Voice
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…
Voices for Change – The Wins They Can’t Legislate
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…
Movie night “Rafiki” and discussion at Korjaamo
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…
Growing Threats to Environmental Rights Defenders in Kinango: Why Safe Civic Space Matters for Climate Justice
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…
Protecting Environmental Defenders in the Climate Crisis: Why Regional Solidarity and Policy Action Matter
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,…
Open call for Expressions of Interest to support human rights work in Sri Lanka
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…
Every Brave Act Begins with a Person
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…
Call for tenders for End of Project Evaluation Consultant(s) for Haki Ni Yetu Project
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…
Voices for Change — From Obstructed to Repressed: The Kenyan New Normal
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…
KIOS at the World Village Festival – Lessons in Defending Civil Liberties
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…
Forced Evictions in Kathmandu Threaten Human Rights
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…
From Finland to Sri Lanka: Support After Cyclone Ditwah Reached Thousands
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…
Upcoming open call for Sri Lanka
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. …
Taita Taveta County Government Pledges Action on SGBV and Economic Exclusion at International Women’s Day 2026
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…
Creating Safer Communities: Women Human Rights Defenders Strengthening Gender‑Based Violence Response Systems in Kenya’s Informal Settlements
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…
Stories of Change: Sex Workers are Pushing Nepal’s Decision-Makers Toward Responsibility
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…
Nepal’s elections marked by both hope for reform and concern over human rights
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…
What Way Forward for Human Rights Work?
The landscape of human rights advocacy has quite shifted in the last few years. Arguably, while for many marginalised groups, this exclusion has been present generally,…
Three Days at the UN Business and Human Rights Forum: Key Insights and Reflections
The UN Business and Human Rights Forum 2025, themed “Accelerating Action on Business and Human Rights Amidst Crises and Transformations,” brought together over 4,600 participants from…
Stories of Change – Safety and Community Through Freedom Centres
Nepal has made remarkable progress in recognising the rights of sexual and gender minorities, yet everyday realities often lag behind legal promises—especially for Dalit communities. When…
Sri Lanka Needs Our Help – The Aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah Is Devastating
A week ago, on November 28, Sri Lanka was struck by one of the worst natural disasters in its history. Cyclone Ditwah brought torrential rains, floods,…
Let’s say together NO to digital violence and YES to equality!
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which also is a start to the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence,…
LAHURNIP Receives Prestigious Human Rights and Business Award 2025
We are proud to share that KIOS grantee LAHURNIP (Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples) has been honored with the 2025 Human Rights…
Stories of Change: Legal Pathways to Hope
Across the world, millions of people are forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and violence. In India, refugees and displaced persons face a…
Stories of Change: Healing and Justice for LBQGNC Womxn in Western Kenya
For many LBQGNC (lesbian, bisexual, queer, and gender non-conforming) womxn* in Western Kenya, denied access to health care and justice has been a painful reality. Stigma and systemic…
Impact Story: Empowering Grassroots Advocacy through Youth Groups
Across Siaya, Homa Bay, and Kericho counties, the Haki Mashinani initiative sparked a grassroots movement that empowered youth, women, and marginalised communities to claim their rights…
Building Resilience and Regional Solidarity: Highlights from the 9th Annual Land and Environmental Defenders Workshop
From September 17–19, 2025, the Environmental Rights Organizations Network (EROG) hosted the 9th Annual Land and Environmental Defenders Workshop in Mombasa, Kenya. With the theme of…
Interview with Manoj Thushara: Supporting Queer Youth in Sri Lanka
Manoj Thushara is a Sri Lankan human rights defender who has dedicated his life to advancing the rights of sexual and gender minorities. He is the…
Nepal at a Turning Point: After Deadly Crackdown on Corruption Protests and Unrest, Can Democracy Recover?
Nepal is facing its gravest political crisis in decades. What began as peaceful, Gen Z-led protests against corruption, displays of wealth by government officials, and frustration…