ACTIVITIES | DMC-HRD

OUR ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS

With a vision of having a world where everyone is treated equal in rights and dignity; DMC-HRD has since its inception in 2014 been working on a number of human rights focused projects in developing countries. At the core of DMC-HRD’s human rights activities is to advance and protect the rights of minorities and marginalized groups in particular ethnic minorities, religious minorities, indigenous groups, women, persons with disabilities and oppressed communities.

THEMATIC AREAS OF OUR WORK

Activities and projects of DMC-HRD are grouped into four main thematic areas:

1. Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB)

2. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

3 . Gender Equality and Minority Rights

4. Democracy, Civic Participation and Electoral Support

ACTIVITIES IN DENMARK

Foreign nationals in Denmark have the right to vote in local government elections. However, many may not be familiar with the election processes. DMC-HRD organizes activities during elections to help orient foreign nationals on Danish electoral procedures. These activities are carried out with the support of the Copenhagen municipality. In addition to election-related events, DMC-HRD conducts seminars and study tours to educate immigrants, foreign nationals, and students on the Danish governance system. Through these initiatives, immigrants and foreign nationals can acquire knowledge to actively participate in the civic and political affairs of Denmark.

INTERNATIONAL WORK - ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS

With the support of its strategic partners and contributors in Denmark, DMC-HRD has partnered with local NGOs in developing countries to implement human rights-focused development initiatives. As part of its approach to development projects in developing countries, DMC-HRD actively engages with vibrant small and emerging civil society organizations (CSOs). The reasoning behind DMC-HRD's strategy of teaming up with small and emerging CSOs in developing countries is to enhance the institutional capabilities of these organizations, enabling them to expand and remain influential in driving positive social change in society.

THEMATIC AREA ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF (FORB)

With a vision of having a world where everyone is treated equal in rights and dignity, our programme on Freedom of Religion or Belief is aimed at conscientising community members to respect freedom of religion as well as strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations in developing countries to promote and protect Freedom of Religion or Belief

DMC-HRD has been actively involved in various initiatives and projects centered around promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) including the following project and activities:

Project Title: Promoting freedom of religion and confronting Religious Motivated Violence Against Women in Kayole settlement area of Nairobi, Kenya –

This project t be carried out in three phase in Kenya seeks protect the freedom of women to choose the manner in which they practice their religion without fear of coercion, intimidation or violence in Kayole Settlement area. The first phase of the project was completed in February 2019. In the first phase of the project, women of diverse religious background in Kayole settlement area in Nairob were empowered with knowledge and skills on how to promote freedom of religion or belief and engage in a series of community advocacy campaigns to end religios motivated violence against women in Kayole Settlement Area. This project has been implemented with a grant support from the Center for Church Based Development (CKU), a DANIDA grant agency on FoRB projects in Denmark .

Project Title: Youths as Agents for Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief in Eastleigh Area of Nairobi Kenya – This project to be carried out in three phase seeks to conscientize community members and duty bearers on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) as well as promote religious tolerance, end discrimination based on religion. This project has been planned to be implemented in three phases; the first phase was completed in February 2024. This project is implemented with grant support from the Center for Church Based Development (CKU), a DANIDA grant agency on FoRB projects

Project Title: Promoting Religious Tolerance and Peaceful Coexistence in Garsen, Tana River County, Kenya: This mini-project was aimed at facilitating community dialogue to resolve religious tensions that had emerged between the Christians and Muslim communities – This project was directly funded by DMC-HRD and implemented by a DMC-HRD partner organization, Badili Tana Initiative based Tana River County in Kenya.

DMC-HRD FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF ( FoRB) INITIATIVES IN DENMARK

DMC-HRD, with the support of a dedicated team of volunteers, is involved in the promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief ( FoRB) in Denmark. DMC-HRD has been engaging in information sharing about t its FoRB projects abroad, emphasizing the importance of promoting and safeguarding these rights linked to Freedom of Religion.

INFORMATION SHARING ON FoRB PROJECTS IN DENMARK

In October 2023, DMC-HRD showcased its work on FoRB at the Swahili Festival in Copenhagen; it had a pictorial presentation of the implementation of its FoRB projects in Kenya, and held discussions with number of individuals that attended the festival. Through this information sharing of its FoRB project, DMC-HRD created awareness among Danish citizens at the festival on the significance of upholding Freedom of Religion or Belief. This outreach event effectively raised awareness about DMC-HRD's efforts to enhance the protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief.

THEMATIC AREA ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS (SRHR)

The Danish Minorities' Center for Human Rights and Development (DMC-HRD) has been actively advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) following its commitments at Nairobi Summit also known as ICPD+25 of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in November 2019. Under its SRHR programme, DMC-HRD seeks to empower small and emerging CSO to engage in advocacy efforts that aim to dismantle barriers restricting or limiting reproductive health rights.

OUR ACTIVITIES ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS (SRHR)

Project Title: Confronting unsafe abortion and promoting access to safe abortions and care in Zambia

Overal Objective: To contributing towards ending illegal and unsafe abortion in Zambia and increase access of young women to safe abortion and care

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The project aims to address the public health issue of unsafe abortion, which is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality in Zambia. The project advocates for the review and revision of the legal framework surrounding abortion and focuses on empowering communities, especially young women, with knowledge on how to safely access abortion and reproductive care in government health facilities. The project also fosters dialogue across various community and religious groups to challenge stigma and harmful practices related to unsafe abortion.

KEY SRHR ACTIVITIES

Community Dialogue Forums: These forums comprising young women, traditional birth attendants, traditional marriage counselors, community leaders serve as a platform for raising awareness of unsafe abortions, orient community members on the processes of accessing safe abortion and care, and also community stakeholders to brainstorm solutions to ending illegal abortions and increasing access to safe abortion services.
Teachers Seminar on Bodily Autonomy: Through this seminar, selected teachers at secondary school teachers in Livingstone, Zambia have been equipped with knowledge about bodily autonomy in order to facilitate School discussions among students on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) during School Dialogue Sessions and Debates, arranged as part of the DMC-HRD project
School Dialogue Sessions and Debates: These are convened to engage secondary school students in discussions on SRHR. Through School Dialogue Sessions and Debates, students gain knowledge about reproductive health rights which empowers them to make safe and healthy decisions about their future.
Young Women’s Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: The Young Women’s Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights held in Livingstone Zambia was a pivotal event aimed at empowering young women by providing a safe space for discussing critical issues surrounding reproductive health. The conference brought together diverse groups of young women from across the Livingstone to engage in meaningful dialogue about sensitive topics, particularly focusing on the dangers and consequences of illegal abortions in Livingstone. The event was also attended by DMC-HRD Board from Denmark and a representative from a DMC-HRD partner organization based in Zimbabwe
Religious Minority Community Dialogue Forum: In response to the exclusion of religious minorities in Livingstone, Zambia, from reproductive health interventions, a Religious Minority Community Dialogue Forum was organized. This forum aimed to raise awareness among representatives of religious minority communities about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Additionally, it provided them with a platform to contribute solutions to address the issue of illegal abortion in Livingstone. The forum sought to ensure that these communities are included in future reproductive health efforts and discussions.
District Stakeholders' Forum: The District Stakeholders' Forum on Legal Framework and Access to Safe Abortion brought together young women, community leaders, parliamentarians, policymakers, and healthcare providers to address gaps in Zambian arbortion legal framework. The key topics discussed included current legal restrictions and their impact on unsafe abortions and maternal health, and development of a roadmap for reviewing the legal framework on abortions. The forum’s ultimate goal is to create a more flexible legal framework that ensures safe, accessible abortion services and reduces stigma and maternal health risks.