Amplifying Voices for Human Rights: The Sauti Stream Campaign
Human rights awareness is fundamental to creating an inclusive, democratic society. However, in Uganda, significant gaps exist in citizens' understanding of their rights. The Sauti Stream Campaign, led by TRAC FM in partnership with the Faraja Africa Foundation, was launched to address this crucial need by engaging Ugandans in a national conversation about human rights.
Campaign Objectives
The main goal of the Sauti Stream campaign was to enhance public understanding of human rights across Uganda, particularly in rural and underserved communities. By leveraging the power of radio—the most accessible medium in Uganda—the campaign sought to stimulate informed public debate, providing citizens with a platform to express their views and concerns about human rights. Additionally, the campaign aimed to collect valuable data on public perceptions, which could inform future advocacy and policy recommendations.
Key Objectives Included:
1. Public Engagement: Through multiple-choice radio polls and live debates, citizens were encouraged to voice their opinions on critical human rights issues, using their mobile phones to participate.
2. Data-Driven Advocacy: The feedback from citizens was used to create detailed reports, infographics, and strategic advocacy plans, ensuring their voices were heard in national decision-making processes.
Partners Involved
The campaign was implemented by TRAC FM in collaboration with several key partners:
1. Faraja Africa Foundation (FAF): A youth-focused organization, FAF played a crucial role in mobilizing youth leaders from all sub-regions of Uganda to design poll questions and participate in discussions on human rights.
2. Radio Stations: Eleven radio stations across Uganda participated, broadcasting poll questions and talk shows to engage listeners in local languages.
Funding
Organizations such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) provided financial and programmatic support.
Outcomes of the Campaign
The campaign successfully engaged over 76,000 Ugandans from 86 districts, with four critical poll questions addressing human rights awareness, priority areas, sources of information, and belief systems.
Key Findings:
1. Lack of Awareness: Nearly half of respondents (49%) understand human rights as a way to demand basic needs and services, while 51% hold misconceptions or are unaware of what human rights are.
2. Economic Pressures: A significant majority of respondents prioritise basic needs over democratic rights raising the concern that everyday poverty overshadows political and inclusive freedoms.
3. Information Gaps: A majority of respondents (64%) either failed to obtain information about their rights or were unaware they have rights, underscoring the need for improved public awareness.
4. Competing Norms: A majority of respondents (54%) are primarily guided by religious teachings, compared to national laws (26%) and traditional customs (20%), highlighting the challenge of harmonizing these belief systems with human rights principles.
The findings from this campaign not only shed light on the existing barriers to human rights awareness but also provided a roadmap for future advocacy efforts. The report underscores the need for more civic education, targeted outreach, and innovative use of media to bridge the information gap in Uganda.
Conclusion
The Sauti Stream campaign is more than a study of human rights awareness—it is a call to action. The insights gained from the citizens' responses provide a valuable tool for shaping policies that address the real needs of Ugandans. By continuing to engage citizens in meaningful conversations about their rights, TRAC FM, Faraja Africa Foundation, and their partners are laying the groundwork for a more informed and empowered society.
This campaign reminds us that the journey to widespread human rights awareness begins with inclusive dialogue, accessible information, and collective action. Through continued efforts, the voices of Uganda’s citizens will lead the way toward a more just and equitable future.