The laureates

Description

Committed to social justice and the empowerment of women and girls, Fredrick Simon has built his career around promoting socioeconomic rights and advocating for gender equality. He has expertise in addressing issues related to poverty alleviation and community development. As a founding member of the Sisi Tanzania Organization and the African representative of the Global Youth Coalition, he participates in international negotiations to defend the rights of women and girls. His advocacy efforts aim to draw attention to gender-related issues, emphasizing the importance of local ownership and community engagement for sustainable transformation.

Fredrick Binamungu SIMON interview - 04/05/24

Can you introduce yourself ?

My name is Fredrick Binamungu Simon, a founding member of the organization “Sisi Tanzanie,” which helps young people get involved in human rights advocacy. Our goal is to achieve social justice and equality in society, to help young people get involved in human rights advocacy, and to create a more inclusive and equitable society. As an international negotiator, I also specialize in addressing issues related to gender equality, poverty alleviation, and community development. My work as a human rights advocate has earned me a place among the 2024 recipients of the Marianne Initiative.

Throughout my career, I have participated in initiatives promoting fundamental rights at the national and international levels. I advocate for the rights of Tanzanian communities, and I am also committed to empowering women and young people by promoting their economic rights, ensuring access to education, and combating gender-based violence (GBV) and domestic violence.

In my role as the African representative of the Global Youth Coalition and communications director for Green Samia, my work lies at the intersection of social justice, economic rights, minority rights, the environment, and gender equality.

Can you describe your work as a human rights advocate?

I am dedicated to defending human rights because I believe in the universality of justice, human rights, and respect for the dignity of every individual. I advocate for the protection and promotion of everyone’s rights, regardless of their background or identity.

When I realized that human rights violations, discrimination, and inequalities that undermine freedoms and rights were systemic, I had no choice but to take action to help make the world a more just and equitable place. Through my work, I draw attention to marginalized and vulnerable populations, ensuring that their rights are respected.

Being a human rights advocate is not just an identity; above all, it is a set of convictions that guide our actions. I am determined to fight against injustice and advocate for reforms that respect human dignity.

Why did you decide to advocate for human rights?

Witnessing the injustices and inequalities faced by marginalized communities motivated me to take action. In my community, I have witnessed gender-based violence, particularly domestic violence, which has deeply affected me. It is these experiences that motivated my decision to get involved, in order to contribute to positive change in Tanzanian society so that fundamental rights are respected and protected.

What do you expect from the Marianne Initiative in terms of strengthening your project?

First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who made it possible for me to join the Marianne Initiative. It’s a valuable opportunity not only to build on my projects but also to take some time to rest and step back from the work I’m doing, all while learning alongside the other recipients in this cohort.

I see the Mariane Initiative as an opportunity to strengthen and consolidate my project, “BreakCycles4HER,” which aims to combat gender-based violence and promote access to justice for marginalized communities in Tanzania, particularly women and girls.Through this Initiative, I hope to develop collaborations and partnerships, and secure support and resources to expand the reach of this project so that we can effectively combat violence and empower these women and girls.  Furthermore, I hope this Initiative will support our commitment as human rights defenders. I had the opportunity to meet with President Emmanuel Macron and ask him to continue this initiative and his support for human rights defenders.

What do you expect from the activities of the Marianne Initiative program?

The Marianne Initiative provides us with multidisciplinary training (project management, legal concepts, etc.) supplemented by hands-on workshops, field trips, and meetings. It also allows us to gain a fundamental understanding of the international human rights situation and to meet people from all over the world who are committed to defending these rights. This is a unique opportunity for us as human rights advocates. These exchanges provide us with valuable lessons and fundamental insights that help us fulfill our own commitments. These activities and interactions allow us to deepen our understanding of human rights and reaffirm our commitment to this cause.

I aspire to be a driving force for sustainable change through my advocacy at both the international and local levels, drawing on the skills I acquired through the program. In that regard, I greatly appreciated the lessons we received on negotiation and leadership. This has helped me develop my skills in these areas.

What are your plans after the program ends?

At the end of the program, I will return to my community in Tanzania to apply the knowledge and skills I have acquired in France to bring my project to fruition by advocating for change, expanding partnerships, and mobilizing resources. I hope to continue my work as a human rights advocate in order to contribute to positive change in Tanzania and around the world.

In order to address gender-based inequalities and violence, we need support from partners (such as foundations or the French government) and funding, and I hope to be able to build on the connections made through the Initiative to secure such funding.

Would you like to add anything else ?

I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity I have been given to participate in this initiative, alongside other human rights defenders, and to thank all the program’s partners for organizing it. This program raises awareness of our struggles and allows us to be recognized as defenders on a global scale.

I would also like to thank President Emmanuel Macron, who, through the creation of the Marianne Initiative, recognizes our (Editor’s note: the Initiative’s awardees) cause and supports us in his speeches.

This support enables us to continue our commitment to human rights over the long term.