Human Rights & Advocacy (HRAP)
Because rights are only real when people know they have them.
“Rights only matter when people are equipped to demand them.”
In too many communities across Nigeria, people suffer silently — not because help doesn’t exist, but because they don’t know their rights, don’t know where to report, and don’t believe anyone will listen. RUSISD exists to change that.
The Human Rights Awareness Programme (HRAP) empowers the most vulnerable — women, girls, youth, and the poor — with knowledge, advocacy skills, and civic education that turns bystanders into active citizens.
Who We Serve
- Women and girls facing discrimination, FGM, and abuse
- Educationally disadvantaged men, women, and youth
- First-time voters and civic participants
- Community members with no access to justice systems
What We Do
Town Hall Meetings & Community Sensitisation
We go into communities to create awareness on human rights issues — from election participation and tax rights to the dangers of FGM and child abuse. No jargon. Just clear, honest conversation.
Good Governance & Election Monitoring
RUSISD is a credible election observer organisation. We trained and deployed over 100 observers during the 2023 presidential elections across all 33 local governments in Oyo State. We ran a live situation room at the Bishop’s Court, Bodija, escalating reports to the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room in Abuja in real time.
Constituency Project Monitoring (UK FCDO Supported)
With support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, RUSISD tracked the implementation of constituency projects in secondary education and primary healthcare across 18 LGAs in Oyo State — ensuring government is held to account for what it promises communities.
Women Empowerment & Advocacy
In collaboration with the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), RUSISD has advocated at the Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture for grants, farm inputs, and targeted government support for women farmers.
Anti-Rape & Child Protection Campaigns
We produced and distributed public awareness posters on rape prevention and child protection, reaching schools and communities across the diocese.
Impact Highlights
- Over 10,000 citizens reached through media outreach and community mobilisation
- Civic education delivered across all 12 archdeaconries of the Ibadan Anglican Diocese
- Community committees established in multiple LGAs to sustain civic engagement
- Field research findings adopted as a policy guide by Oyo State Ministry of Budget
Stakeholder Engagements
In September 2022, RUSISD hosted a sensitisation seminar on ‘The Relevance of Civic Engagement in Building a Democratic Society’ — with INEC, community leaders, and civil society organisations in attendance.
In September 2023, we convened a Stakeholders Summit on ‘Inclusive Civic Education as a Panacea for Deepening Democratic Process in Nigeria’ — bringing together political parties, security agencies, and INEC to prepare communities for the elections ahead.
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