Ahmed Manjang, a Human Rights Defender and an Environmentalist from the coastal community of Gunjur is attending a Human Rights Defenders Regional Workshop in the Kenyan Capital Nairobi. Mr. Manjang and fellow Human Rights Defenders are in Nairobi at the invitation of the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA).The two-day Regional Workshop for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) began on Tuesday19th July and will end on Wednesday 20th July 2022.
Mr. Manjang is cofounder of the Gunjur Conservationists & Ecotourism Association, a member of Eco - Travel Gambia, and a social justice advocate in the Gambia. He is among the 20 Human Rights Defenders drawn from across North, Central, West, East, and Southern Africa to attend the workshop. The workshop is geared towards enhancing knowledge and skills of Human Rights Defenders to advocate for the mainstreaming of human rights in African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreements and economic integration for sustainable outcomes in Africa.
The workshop will provide awareness, build capacity, and create partnerships for improved information flow amongst Human Rights Defenders, Civil Society Organizations, Governments, and other actors on interventions related to the The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
As a leading figure of sustainable development initiative on environment, health, women, and youths in The Gambia. Mr Manjang and fellow Human Rights Defenders will receive training on International and Continental Human Rights standards, including meaningful engagement in the promotion, protection, respect, and fulfilment of Human Rights in the realisation of Africa’s development, as outlined by Agenda 2063 “The Africa We Want”.
The convening of 20 Human Rights Defenders seeks to contribute to the sustainable implementation of the AfCFTA, by ensuring that the continental and Human Rights norms are upheld by AU Member States. As part of the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa’s work around the promotion of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR), through a Human Rights-based approach. The institute took this initiative to strengthen the capacities of Human Rights Defenders to advocate for the mainstreaming of Human Rights in AfCFTA agreement processes.
In line with the realisation of Agenda 2063 “The Africa We Want”, Mr. Manjang and colleagues will continue promoting Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR) through a Human Rights-based approach in their respective countries. The participants will attend series of interactive sessions and solution-driven trainings to sharpen their skills and experiences in order to advance social, economic, and environmental justice across the African Continent.