Human Rights
At the heart of WIDEF’s mission lies an unwavering commitment to monitoring human rights abuses, defending civic space, and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable populations. WIDEF stands as a staunch defender of the civic space, recognizing its critical importance in fostering democracy, participation, and accountability.
In an era where civic space actors are increasingly under threat, censorship and surveillance, WIDEF works tirelessly to safeguard the freedoms of assembly, expression, and association. By advocating for robust legal frameworks and standing up against censorship and repression, WIDEF empowers individuals and communities to exercise their fundamental rights without fear of persecution or retribution.
Furthermore, recognizing the growing importance of the digital space in shaping public discourse and political participation, WIDEF also prioritizes the protection of digital rights, especially freedom of expression online. In an age where governments and corporations increasingly seek to control and monitor online activity, WIDEF advocates for policies and practices that uphold digital freedoms and privacy rights.
By championing internet freedom and fighting against online censorship and surveillance, WIDEF strives to create a digital landscape that is open, accessible, and conducive to democratic engagement.
Peace and Security
At WIDEF, we recognize that sustainable peace is the foundation upon which all other development efforts must be built. Hence, we work to promote sustainable peace, and prevent, manage and resolve conflict in volatile Nigerian communities and beyond. Through tailored, context-specific approaches, and leveraging digital technologies we work to address the root causes of conflicts and insecurity, counter violent extremism and prevent the recruitment of vulnerable individuals into armed groups and violent extremist organizations by providing alternative sustainable livelihood options and pathways which is essential for addressing the socio-economic drivers of conflict and extremism.
We also aim to minimize the impact of conflict and violence on vulnerable populations such as children, youth and women, safeguard their rights to protection, and stop the reoccurrence of violence through effective advocacy, mediation and reconciliation. By engaging with communities at the grassroots level and facilitating peacebuilding processes at national and international levels, WIDEF is creating environments where lasting peace can thrive.
Good Governance
At WIDEF, we understand the impact of effective governance on the well-being of individuals and society. That’s why we are deeply committed to advocating for strategic policy reforms that promote inclusive governance structures and strengthen institutions at all levels.
We are advocating and promoting the use of digital technologies in fostering inclusion in elections and governance. Through open data initiatives, community engagement and civic education, we empower citizens with the information they need to hold their leaders accountable and participate actively in democratic processes as active change agents.
Through digital campaigns, we address corruption issues and through data-driven research; we provide evidence-based insights to inform policy development and influence policy decisions that translate to reforms and improved governance that enhances the quality of life for all citizens.
Economic Empowerment
At WIDEF, we recognize that economic empowerment is not just a pathway out of poverty; it’s a catalyst for sustainable development and lasting peace. We understand the importance of reaching out to the most marginalized and underserved demographics, particularly youth and women from disadvantaged communities. These groups often face significant barriers to accessing economic opportunities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and instability.
That’s why WIDEF’s innovative programs are designed to specifically target these demographics. In the digital age, we harness the power of technology to enhance our efforts in economic empowerment. We empower underserved individuals and communities with the technological, digital and entrepreneurship skills needed to thrive in the digital age. Additionally, we implement digital financial inclusion initiatives, facilitating access to capital and financial services for underserved populations.
But our work doesn’t stop there. We are also deeply committed to engaging policymakers and advocating for policy changes that positively impact the economy in the long run. By leveraging our expertise and networks, we work tirelessly to influence policies that promote inclusive growth, reduce barriers to entry for marginalized groups, and create an enabling environment for economic development.
Our policy advocacy includes bridging the digital divides, promoting digital infrastructure development, advocating for digital literacy programs, and ensuring that regulatory frameworks support the growth of the digital economy. Through our comprehensive approach, we are building a future where every individual and community has a chance to enjoy economic prosperity.
