The project dubbed ‘Promoting Human Rights and Innovation in the Digital Space’ incorporates a Rights-Based Approach to development with Digital Technology skills to promote women’s access, utilization, and ownership of land in Gulu District, in northern Uganda, and it propels women to raise their voices on development issues that affect them. It contributes to the realization of socio-economic rights for vulnerable women. The training of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), extensive community awareness sessions. Women trained as HRDs in turn provide training and mentorship to other women on the potentials of using digital technology skills and engage in human rights awareness platforms.

Looking at land as a factor of production, over 96% of the participants in the community meetings revealed that they have access to land. However, of the 96% of the participants who have access to land, only 16% have control and ownership of land. Out of the 16% of the beneficiaries who noted that they owned land, only 2% are young women (below 45 years), 3% young men, and 11% are respondents above the age of 45 years old.

Usage of technology to create awareness of human rights enhanced the community to defend their land’s rights, ensure the protection of HRDs, and improve referral for an effective remedy for those whose land rights are violated or abused. The target community women become aware of some of the government land policies and other related laws. This empowers them to take appropriate action when the need arises. Finally, the shift in norms and attitudes on land redistribution sinfluences government policies for equity.

The majority of actors have been using both digital and physical interfaces to engage women on different issues although the digital approach is a new phenomenon. This means using digital more than the physical engagements, makes many beneficiaries access and share information faster and get feedback from community engagement meetings radio talk show programs conducted. The project beneficiaries were assessed if they have used digital space in their lifetime and it emerged that over 96% of participants have never used digital space at all. 

From our community awareness sessions, an average of 76% of the participants engaged noted that they have been using the digital space mostly for leisure entertainment. Only 24% use the digital space for meaningful engagements such as informing leaders of what is lacking in their area, inform them of problems affecting individuals or communities including demanding their rights as an entitlement. Therefore, projects on Women’s Land Rights need to refocus the use of digitalization to promote land rights for women in communities.