Human rights are not “big English” only for lawyers. Human rights are daily needs:

• Being safe at home and in the community,
• Accessing health services without humiliation,
• Being listened to at LC or police,
• Going to school, working, owning property,
• Participating in meetings and leadership.

• WGDs are rights-holders (they have rights).
• Government bodies and service providers are duty-bearers (they must respect, protect, and fulfil rights).
• Families and communities also have responsibilities to avoid harm and support dignity.

• Right to dignity and equality,
• Freedom from violence and torture,
• Right to health and SRHR information,
• Right to education and economic opportunity,
• Right to participation and leadership,
• Right to access justice and effective remedy,
• Right to privacy and confidentiality.

When we support survivors and HRDs, we often handle sensitive information: names, phone numbers, health details, locations, photos, case stories.

Good practice (and Ugandan data protection law) says:

• Personal information must be kept private, safe and secure.
• We should collect only the minimum data needed to help.
• We should get consent before sharing information with other actors (health workers, police, legal aid, shelters, partners).

Many people think disability means weakness. This is not true. A person may have an impairment, but disability becomes worse because of barriers

• Physical barriers (stairs, long distances),
• Communication barriers (no sign interpreter),
• Attitude barriers (stigma, abuse),
• Institutional barriers (forms, procedures, discrimination).

“People with disabilities are rights-holders.” (State and society have duties, including reasonable accommodation.)

Reasonable accommodation means practical adjustments so a person can participate equally. Examples:

• Sign language interpretation,
• Extra time to explain or respond
• Large print, audio, easy-read forms
• Wheelchair access or holding the meeting in an accessible venue
• Allowing a trusted support person when needed (without replacing the person’s voice).

WGDs HRDs have the right to receive services without discrimination. This means health facilities, police, and local leaders should provide;

• privacy,
• respectful treatment
• and reasonable accommodation (such as extra time, accessible communication, and safe seating arrangements).

If a service provider refuses support because of disability, gender, or stigma, that is discrimination and should be documented and escalated through IDIWA and appropriate oversight mechanisms.

An individual defending rights of others in a peaceful manner.

You may be a defender if you:

• Report cases of violence/discrimination
• Help survivors access services
• Speak in community dialogues, radio, schools, churches,
• Organise other WGDs
• Advocate for disability rights, SRHR, land rights, justice, environment.

• Respect people and dignity.
• “Do no harm.”
• Privacy and confidentiality.
• Consent and choice.
• Work with others (collective safety).
• Courage with caution (smart activism).
• Defending rights in a peaceful manner

Smart activism means defending rights without unnecessary exposure. WGDs HRDs should plan safer ways to act, such as working with a buddy, using safe avenues, avoiding sharing sensitive information publicly, and coordinating with IDIWA before taking high-visibility steps. Smart activism is not fear—it is strategy. It protects lives, protects evidence, and supports long-term advocacy.

• Sharing someone’s story without consent,
• Forcing survivors to report,
• Taking bribes,
• Discrimination or insults,
• Abuse of power by allies or staff,
• Using support to control someone’s choices.

1. Trust your instincts—if something feels unsafe, take it seriously.
2. Avoid moving alone in risky places or late at night when possible.
3. Use a buddy system for meetings and visits.
4. Tell someone where you are going and your expected return time.
5. Save emergency numbers and IDIWA focal contacts.
6. Keep a small emergency plan: where to run, who to call, what to carry.

Physical safety planning must include mobility realities. Where a WGDs HRD uses a wheelchair, crutches, or has low vision, safety planning should identify accessible routes, safe transport providers, and safe pickup points. Where a WGDs HRD cannot move quickly, the plan should prioritise early exit, public places, and pre-arranged support (buddy or neighbour). In high-risk contexts, avoid unpredictable roadside stops and ensure someone knows the route and expected arrival time.

WGDs may face threats from known people (partners, family, caregivers, neighbours). Safety planning must consider:

• dependence (transport, money, support person),
• privacy challenges,
• stigma and gossip,
• control of movement or phones.

Practical actions:

• identify safe neighbours/relatives,
• agree a distress signal,
• keep essential items in one place (ID, meds),
• avoid confronting violent persons alone,
• inform IDIWA early.

Psycho-security protects emotions, thoughts, and wellbeing. WGDs HRDs may face stress, fear, panic, shame, depression, or numbness after threats or violence.

Simple mind safety steps:

• pause and breathe (slow breathing),
• grounding (5-4-3-2-1),
• talk to a trusted person,
• avoid reading abusive messages repeatedly,
• rest and reduce workload temporarily,
• seek counselling or peer support.

• No recordings without consent.
• Use respectful language.
• Keep names private when discussing cases.
• Agree a safe venue and exit route.
• Provide accessibility support (interpretation, seating, easy language).
• Have a focal person for distress/safeguarding.

This is a simple planning method:

Before: prevent and prepare (reduce exposure, plan exits, set check-ins).

During: manage safely in the moment (de-escalate, leave early, stay in public spaces).

After: recover and learn (debrief, update plan, referrals, emotional support).

A threat is anything that can harm you or scare you.

Common threats to WGDs HRDs

1. Stigma and rumours: “She is useless,” “She is lying,” “She wants attention.”
2. Domestic and family violence: control, confinement, denial of support.
3. Harassment by leaders or institutions: public humiliation, denial of services.
4. Sexual exploitation: targeting because of vulnerability or stigma.
5. Physical attacks: assault, being followed, intimidation.
6. Police threats: arrest, intimidation, “you are disturbing peace.”
7. Digital threats: blackmail, leaked photos, hacking, cyber bullying, impersonation, hate campaigns.
8. Economic threats: withholding money, stealing assistive devices, blocking work.

WGDs HRDs may face threats linked to dependency, stigma and gender norms. These include withholding assistive devices, controlling phones, locking someone indoors, threatening abandonment, sexual exploitation by people who “offer help,” and mocking credibility (“she is disabled, she is lying”). These threats can be high risk because the threat actor may be close and have daily access.

• Repeated insults,
• Hostile messages
• Strangers near home,
• People asking about your movements,
• “Planning meetings against you,”
• Sudden change in behaviour of a known violent person.

Treat the case as urgent if threats mention death, disappearance, weapons, rape, or if the abuser lives in the same home. Urgent action may include immediate safety relocation, medical care, legal referral, and protection committee activation. The goal is rapid harm reduction, not a slow process.

Risk = how likely harm is + how serious it could be.

1. Low: isolated incident, low power threat source, safe support available.
2. Medium: repeated threats, increasing hostility, some vulnerability.
3. High: threat source has power/violence history, danger is active now, life/safety at immediate risk.

Vulnerabilities are the gaps that make harm easier, such as isolation, controlled phone access, dependence on unsafe caregivers, or lack of transport.

Protection capacities are the strengths that reduce danger, such as trusted allies, buddy systems, safe transport, accessible services, legal support, safe housing, and IDIWA follow-up.

1. What is happening?
2. Who is doing it?
3. Where and when is it happening?
4. What could happen next if nothing is done?
5. Who can help safely?

1. Move away from danger (public place, trusted neighbour, health facility, safe contact).
2. Call or alert a trusted person (buddy/IDIWA focal/safeguarding focal person).
3. Do not confront the threat actor alone.
4. Seek medical help if injured or after sexual violence (time matters).
5. Preserve evidence safely (notes/screenshots) without posting online.
6. Start a simple safety plan (safe place, safe contacts, check-in time).

1. Use simple words, one question at a time.
2. Confirm understanding: “Can you tell me what you understood?”
3. For Deaf WGDs HRDs: use trusted interpretation or written communication.
4. For persons with intellectual disabilities: use easy-read explanations and allow time.
5. Speak directly to the WGDs HRD, not only to caregivers.
6. Ensure privacy (caregivers or partners should not force answers).

Collect only what is necessary to provide protection:

• What happened (short description)
• When and where (general)
• Who is involved (if safe to record)
• Immediate safety concerns
• Urgent needs and preferred support option
• Risk indicators (e.g., threats, violence history, abuser proximity)
• Preferred communication method.

Risk rating helps IDIWA decide what action is required and how fast. It also prevents under-reacting (which can endanger the person) and over-reacting (which can expose them or remove their control).

• Low risk: isolated incident, low power threat source, person feels safe now, supports available.
• Medium risk: repeated threats, growing hostility, person is worried, some vulnerability.
• High risk: threat actor has power or violence history, abuser nearby, threats of serious harm, person unsafe now.

Depending on the case, options may include:

1. Medical care (injury, sexual violence response, documentation)
2. Psychosocial support (counselling, peer support)
3. Legal support (advice, protection orders, court processes)
4. Police reporting (only if the person chooses)
5. Safe shelter or temporary relocation
6. Mediation only where safe and chosen (never forced in violence cases)
7. Digital safety support (blackmail, harassment, account security)
8. Community protection measures (trusted leaders, safe neighbours).

What referral means

Referral means connecting the WGDs HRD/survivor to another service provider that can help (health, legal, psychosocial, shelter, digital protection).

Referral rules

1. Get consent before contacting any provider.
2. Share only necessary information.
3. Use safe communication channels.
4. Where possible, accompany the person or arrange safe accompaniment.
5. Document referral action and follow-up date.

Why follow-up is protection

Follow-up reduces risk by identifying escalation early and ensuring the person actually received support.

Follow-up timelines

1. Standard cases: Day 7 and Day 14 follow-up.
2. High risk cases: same-day and frequent follow-ups (daily or as needed).
3. Digital blackmail cases: follow-up within 72 hours (because escalation is common).

What to check during follow-up

1. Is the person safe today?
2. Has the threat reduced or increased?
3. Any new threats, stalking, retaliation, online harassment?
4. Did they access the referral service?
5. What was the outcome?
6. What additional support is needed?
7. Psycho-security check: sleep, fear, panic, distress, isolation.

A case can be closed when:

• risk is low and stable,
• referrals have been completed (or survivor chooses to stop),
• the WGDs HRD/survivor agrees to closure,
• the safety plan is in place and understood.

Health workers:

• urgent treatment,
• privacy,
• respectful care,
• reasonable accommodation,
• documentation/referrals.

Legal aid providers:

• legal advice,
• protection orders,
• representation,
• case follow-up.

• counselling,
• peer support

Police/GBV desk:

• respectful reception,
• statement recording,
• safety support,
• no discrimination.

Community Development Officers and social workers:

• support services linkage,
• community protection follow-up.

Community protection support

• support referral and safety;
• avoid forced reconciliation in violence cases.

• coordinates protection pathway,
• maintains confidentiality,
• follows up and monitors safety.

Phones and computers should have passwords,

Use a strong password not obvious patterns.

Secure accounts with two-step verification

Reduce exposure (limit location sharing)

• Do not post evidence on social media.
• Store evidence securely (password-protected device).

• save evidence (screenshots, URLs, usernames, dates),
• secure accounts (password change, two-step verification),
• reduce exposure (privacy settings, limit location sharing),
• assess physical risk (leaks can lead to physical attacks),
• refer to digital security support partners where available.

• Share evidence only with authorised persons and only with consent.
• Use codes instead of names where possible.

Trauma is the deep stress response that can happen after a person experiences or witnesses harm, fear, or serious threat. Trauma is not “weakness.” It is the body and mind reacting to danger. Trauma can come from one major incident (e.g., assault) or from repeated smaller harms over time (e.g., stigma, harassment, threats, discrimination).

Trauma can show differently for different people. Common signs include:

1. Sleeping poorly, nightmares, fear of being alone
2. Panic, fast heartbeat, shaking, sweating
3. Feeling numb, “blank,” or disconnected
4. Anger, irritability, crying easily
5. Poor concentration, forgetting things
6. Avoiding places/people linked to the incident
7. Headaches, stomach pain, body aches
8. Shame, self-blame, hopelessness
9. Increased substance use (for some people)

Psychological First Aid is immediate, humane support after distress. It is not counselling, and you don’t need to be a therapist. It focuses on helping the person feel safe and connected, and linking them to support.

“Buddy check” tool

• “Are you safe now?”
• “Where are you (general)?”
• “Do you need transport/help?”
• “When should I check again?”

The WGDs HRD/survivor is the main decision-maker in their own case and protection plan. They have the right to safety, dignity, privacy, and choice.

Male allies support WGDs HRDs without dominating or controlling decisions.

A focal person is a trusted community contact who helps with first response, safety planning, and referrals, especially when IDIWA staff are not nearby.

The case officer leads case management and coordinates protection actions.

A Protection Committee is a small trusted team within IDIWA that helps make decisions for high-risk cases (e.g., urgent relocation, emergency funds, serious legal escalation).

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are simple step-by-step guides that help IDIWA and allies respond consistently and safely, especially under pressure.