CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR DEVELOPING A GRAPHICAL HANDBOOK ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Organization Summary
PAWA Initiative is a youth-led nonprofit established in Kenya in 2009. It is Kenya’s unique art and cultural collaborative hub that houses, fosters and catalyzes creative and community-driven projects for social change. PAWA is largely referred to as PAWA 254: the acronym “PAWA” is Swahili slang for “power,” while “254” is Kenya’s international telephone code.
Over the last five years, the youth-led organization has cut a niche as a bold ‘artivism’ organization that creatively integrates art and activism to promote active civic participation, livelihoods and employment development for Kenyan youth. PAWA leverages the power of arts to strengthen understanding and exploration of emerging issues in Kenya and increase youth involvement in positive development processes.
PAWA ‘s vision is to facilitate a bold, innovative and thriving art and media landscape to create social change in Kenya and exists to provide space and avenues where artists can learn and develop skills that could expose them to more opportunities for enhanced outputs, while promoting social change. Our work is organized around two thematic areas;
- Arts and media: entails developing the capacity of emerging artists and facilitating the integration of this artistic expression for livelihoods development. The provision of a state-of-the-art co- working space consisting of creative suites for artists and professional equipment such as cameras, lighting, and other production equipment, skills transfer, networking and partnership opportunities.
- Civic Engagement & Social Accountability: we use art as a form of civic engagement through dance, poetry, graffiti, theatre, music, film and photography to spark civic participation through focusing attention on emerging social concerns in the country and in the process prompt action. The arts are leveraged to spark civic participation through focusing attention on emerging social concerns in the country and in the process prompt communities to action. Further, through art and media PAWA brings forward unheard voices in public discourses and convenes groups of people with divergent views through provision of physical, psychological, experiential and intellectual spaces conducive to reflection and discussion.
Background
Sauti Jasiri is an integrated arts and advocacy project supported by Forum Civ under the Wajibu Wetu Programme. Wajibu Wetu programme seeks to build the capacity of the right holders (citizens) to demand for the respect and realization of their human rights from the duty bearers (Government).The Wajibu Wetu Programme seeks to contribute towards respect for and fulfilment of human rights, deepening democracy and realization of gender equality in Kenya.
Sauti Jasiri project is currently being implemented in the informal settlements of Kayole, Dandora and Mukuru. PAWA and the Social Justice Centers domiciled in the three communities have been implementing three strategies which anchor the project and through which we hope to effect positive change in the human rights situation of the three target communities. The three strategies include;
Public Interest Litigation; Here the project works towards preparing the communities to conduct research on and prepare litigation on a public interest issue affecting the committee with a view of preparing petitions and/or taking the relevant duty bearers to court (if need be.
Citizen Journalism: The project built the capacity of the Social Justice Centers to undertake citizen journalism in their respective areas; highlighting through social media the human rights and governance issues affecting them in a bid to give voice to the normally voiceless communities.
Artivism: Under this strategy the project got 10 artistes from each on the target areas to come together co-create and produce a music album with tracks highlighting social justice issues in their communities whilst creating awareness on the same.
To further spotlight and enhance awareness on the Human Rights challenges and possible solutions, the project wishes to commission the development of an illustrated/graphical handbook on Human Rights. The illustrated/graphical handbook is meant to increase knowledge and awareness on what human rights are and also most important; to draw on the three strategies above to show how people can use the three strategies above to demand for the upholding, respect for and full implementation of their human rights.
Objectives of the Consultancy
- Develop a simple easy to read and interpret graphical/illustrated pocket handbook depicting human rights situation in the country.
Scope of Work and Key Deliverables
- Interpret the guidelines submitted by PAWA254 and convert the same into a user-friendly pocket handbook containing illustrations, graphics, cartoons and factsheets as the case may be.
- Design sketches of the handbook in line with information shared on the guidelines and share with the Programs Manager at PAWA for approval.
- Complete the sketches agreed/approved by the Programs Manager within two-three days of the approval.
Skills and Experience
- Diploma/Certificate in Graphic Design and/or Illustrations as the case may be.
- Excellent grasp of the Human Rights situation in Kenya and the informal settlements of Nairobi to be specific.
- Knowledge and understanding of the Kenya Constitution.
- Ability to interpret complex information and break the same into simple graphical information/illustrations that ca be understood by a wide audience.
Duration of the Assignment
The consultancy is expected to take a maximum of 15 calendar days upon selection of the successful consultant. This includes presentation of the first draft and the final draft.
Expression of Interest Requirements
- A proposal to PAWA Initiative interpreting the terms of reference and elaborating the consultancy methodology and approaches that will facilitate successful completion of the assignment. This should include a budget/quotation for undertaking the assignment.
- A sample (soft copy or hard copies if available) of at least two similar works conducted complete with references
- Professional profile of the consultant(s) to undertake the proposed assignment
Supervisory and Quality Assurance
PAWA’s Programs Manager will supervise the Consultancy.
Confidentiality
All deliberation relating to the consultancy, including all information collected from various meetings/documents shall be kept confidential and shall not be divulged to any third party either verbally, in writing or in any other form. The successful consultant shall be required to sign a confidentiality agreement with regards to this work
Logistics and Procedures
The consultancy will be inclusive of all expenses accrued in the process of the consultancy. If the consultant requires office space from where to work, the same can be arranged with PAWA to allocate space at the PAWA office. The consultancy and project location are Nairobi County.
Application
Consultants who meet the requirements for this assignment should submit their Expression of Interest of NOT MORE THAN 7 PAGES including the CV’s as ONE PDF/Word document on or before the 23rd of March 2021 to hr@pawa254.org copying michael@pawa254.org. If you do not hear from us by 25th March, consider your EOI unsuccessful.
TITLE: SAUTI JASIRI-A Simplified Citizens Handbook for Human Rights Advocacy
Acknowledgement
Great effort, dedication and commitment has gone into the development of Sauti Jasiri a citizen’s handbook on citizen engagement and participation in advancing human rights in our communities. PAWA 254 wishes to express its gratitude to all the stakeholders that were involved in the preparation of this handbook Specifically we wish to recognize the generous contribution of Forum Civ who graciously funded the production of this handbook. We also wish to recognize the Social Justice Working Group who pioneered the strategies for Human Rights engagement contained in this handbook. Agoi Kilima & Associates provided much needed legal guidance especially on issues to with PIL. The three cohorts from Mukuru, Kayole and Dandora also played a key role in giving practical recommendations for the handbook from their lived experiences implementing the strategies for community engagement and action; Citizen Journalism, Public Interest Litigation and Artivism. Finally, TEAM PAWA all those who were involved in implementing the Sauti Jasiri project are deserving of a special mention.
Introduction
This pocket handbook has been developed out of the experiences gained in the implementation of Sauti Jasiri project by PAWA254 and the Social Justice Centers Working Group. Sauti Jasiri is a human rights project invested in building the capacity of ordinary citizens to speak up, champion and demand for the respect and upholding of their human rights by those in positions of authority. The handbook aims at creating awareness on human rights and equipping citizens as well as duty bearers with the knowledge of what human rights are as well as sharing strategies that citizens can deploy to claim their rights.
This Handbook is dedicated to all those who have paid the ultimate price whilst in pursuit of Human Rights for the vulnerable amongst us. Your efforts and sacrifice are not in vain.
Section 1: Human Rights (International Context and legal instruments)
What are Human Rights?
Human rights are entitlements or freedoms that every human being is entitled to by virtue of the fact that they are human but without breaking the law. Human rights do not discriminate in race, sex, color, origin, background, height and weight, young, old among others. Globally Human Rights are anchored in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
Examples of Human Rights
-Right to life
-Right to education
-Right to own property
-Right to food
-Right to work
-Right to health
-Right to Adequate housing
-Right to access to information
The Universal Declaration on Human Rights (1948)
The Universal Declaration on Human Rights recognizes that ‘the inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’.
It declares that human rights are universal – to be enjoyed by all people, no matter who they are or where they live.
The Universal Declaration includes civil and political rights, like the right to life, liberty, free speech and privacy. It also includes economic, social and cultural rights, like the right to social security, health and education.
The UNDHR birthed other International legal instruments that are specific to certain aspects of Human Rights. These legal instruments include;
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (1965)
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979)
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006)
- Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984)
Section 2: Human Rights (Kenyan Context)
-Introduction on Human Rights in Kenya
Human Rights in Kenya are enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010 especially in Chapter 4. Bill of Rights where the constitution provides the framework for advancing the Human Rights agenda in Kenya. Just like the UNDHR the Bill of Rights in the Kenyan Constitution provide for the following fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
- Right to Life
- Right to a clean environment
- Access to information
- Right to affordable healthcare
- Right to equality and freedom from discrimination
- Rights of arrested persons
- Right to worship
- Right to own property anywhere in the country
- Right to a fair hearing
Other legal instruments that anchor human rights in Kenya include;
- Environmental Management and Coordination Act (2007): Provides for a clean and healthy environment for all.
- Prevention of Torture Act (2007): Provides for people in detention to be treated with dignity and not to be tortured whilst under police custody.
- Health Act (2017): Provides the legal framework for access to healthcare for all Kenyans
- Basic Education Act (2014): Provides for all children of school going age the right to access free primary education
- Access to Information Act (2016): Provides the legal framework for any person to acquire information from public and state bodies.
- Childrens Act (2001): Provides for the protection and care for all persons under the age of 18 years.
-Legal instruments that anchor Human Rights in Kenya
-Human Rights as anchored in Kenya’s Constitution
-List institutions mandated to protect/uphold human rights in Kenya
Section 3: Common Human Rights Violations in Kenya
- Arbitrary Arrests
- Forceful Evictions
- Forced detentions
- Poor Sanitation
- Inadequate Health Facilities
- Poorly equipped schools
- Poor infrastructure/markets
- Armed Robberies
- Gender Based Violence
- Defilement/Rape Cases
Section 4: Strategies for tackling Human Rights Abuses
Community Conscientization through Art
– Convene Curation workshops and settle on the Human Rights themes to be addressed through art
-Produce/create artistic works/productions that speak to the Human Rights themes
-Use online spaces like youtube, whatsapp, facebook and twitter to disseminate the artistic works/productions. If visual art use walls and/or exhibitions to showcase the human rights themes/issues.
-Engage the public on the artistic works/productions and agree the way forward
Citizen Journalism & Online Organizing
-Equip yourselves with basic skills in citizen journalism i.e. Journalism ethics, article writing, taking photos and videos, captioning the photos/videos etc.
-Whenever you witness human rights violations, take a photo/caption it well and upload the photo on online spaces.
– Tag the necessary duty bearers as well as community leaders and bring the issue to their attention
– Do follow ups until the issue is satisfactorily concluded.
Online organizing for Community Action
-Identify the issue you want to organize around and give it a catchy title
-Develop the specific asks on the specific issue
-Identify supporters and tag them to support your campaign
-Tag the relevant duty bearers asking them to respond to the campaign asks.
-Do follow ups until the matter is satisfactorily concluded.
Public Interest Litigation
-Identify an issue of public interest that needs to be addressed.
-Organize community forums to rally the community around that central issue
-Conduct research to identify the issues, the persons/state department responsible and what the community want done (Asks of the Community)
-Organize community forums where duty bearers and the community together dissect the issue that needs to be addressed.
-Develop a petition addressed to specific duty bearer(s) containing clear Community Asks giving a timeframe within which they ought to respond.
-Follow up on the petition if not addressed within the specified time period. If there’s no response involve lawyers to draft a petition to the courts.
-Organize moot courts (fake court hearings) to prep the plaintiffs to prepare for their day in court.
-With the aid of the advocate, file your case in court and wait for the hearing date
-Present your case in court as prepped by the advocate and await judgement
Peaceful Protests
-Identify an issue of human rights violations within the community
-Organize Community Forums where the community will meet and discuss the issue at length
-Develop a joint action plan with the objectives for the protest as well as the protest route clearly defined. Most important ensure to capture the grievances in a petition to be handed over to the relevant duty bearers.
-Notify the area police of the intended protest.
-Carry out the peaceful protest according to the laid out rules governing peaceful assembly
-Present your petition to the relevant authority and demand for action on the petition.
-Follow up on the petition from the affected duty bearers.
Section 5: Where to report Human Rights Violations
Once we know how to organize our human rights advocacy it is important that the public knows where to take their complaints on human rights. The following institutions are mandated by law to support citizens who have had their rights violated. Complaints can either be filed in person or through letters (including anonymous letters for sensitive cases), petitions, emails etc.
(Have logos of the institutions (Kenya Police, IPOA, KNCHR, Office of the Ombudsman, LSK) including their contact addresses
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