Date: 7 August 2020
Time: 15:00 (EAT)
Where: Online webinar
Language: English
Register here
Speakers
- Marilyn Mbogua, GNDR (Chair)
- Elliot Orizaarwa Tumwijukye, Women and Girl Child Development Association (WEGCDA)
- Innocent Isaac, Ntengwe for Community Development
- David Kode, CIVICUS
Overview
In this webinar we’ll discuss how the onset of Covid-19 has accelerated the already shrinking space for civil society organisations (CSOs) in Africa.
Contexts do differ, and where CSOs deliver basic services like healthcare, there has been successful government collaborations. But for organisations that promote human rights and good governance, opportunities for civil engagement are being reduced at an increased rate.
Covid-19 has enabled states to invoke emergency regulations in order to combat the pandemic, but this must not be used as a blanket approach to curtailing citizens’ rights.
Our panel will discuss recent examples from South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. We will present successful CSO-Government partnerships, and also examples where new challenges have emerged.
Our experts will conclude with suggestions of how sustained government cooperation can be achieved and what action needs to be taken.
