The mission of Habitat Defenders Africa (HDA) is to develop and advocate transformative standards, practices, and means to defend rights, protect nature, and empower communities, achieving societal justice and improving living conditions within the human rights framework related to habitat. They have been actively engaged in advocating for and promoting economic, social, and cultural rights across the African continent, focusing on communities affected by poverty, climate change, and human rights violations.
HDA works to secure housing, land, and property (HLP) rights for marginalized communities, especially rural farmers and urban poor who face threats of eviction without compensation. They have facilitated access to land for vulnerable groups, ensuring that land tenure systems are respected and protected. HDA also emphasizes integrating climate justice into economic rights, ensuring that the economic livelihoods of communities are protected in the face of climate change. By focusing on loss and damage, HDA has trained communities on quantifying the impacts of climate-related disasters on their economic activities, providing tools for resilience building.They have also advocated for increased access to finance for women and youth-led businesses, particularly in communities impacted by climate change. Their work has involved raising awareness and conducting training on financial literacy to help these communities access credit and investment opportunities. Furthermore, HDA has partnered with local governments and other stakeholders to promote affordable housing solutions for low-income communities. This includes providing technical support to municipalities on inclusive housing policies that prioritize social integration. They have also worked with local and national governments to support gender-responsive policies in land tenure, housing, and environmental protection.
HDA works with indigenous communities to ensure that their land rights are recognized in line with their cultural practices and heritage. Their advocacy has focused on ensuring that these communities are not displaced by development projects and that their cultural rights are respected.
In the context of environmental conservation and climate resilience, HDA has supported the use of indigenous knowledge systems, ensuring that these practices are incorporated into national policies and programs.
