As a social advocacy organization, HEDCON has focused on identifying issues affecting vulnerable people and common issues of concerns for grass root organizations. Through grass root research and studies with its network organizations, HEDCON has worked on identifying the root causes of the problems and also in setting the ground for advocacy with different stakeholders for the causes.

RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION

HEDCON has accomplished a large number of surveys and researches on human rights, social issues and environmental management. These are helping HEDCON and other organizations to get deeper insight into the problems that bother vulnerable people.

POLICY AND NETWORKING

The social researches and the grass root knowledge forms the basis for HEDCON to consult, make aware and sensitize stakeholders, especially government on the relevant issues, to find solution and work to mitigate the problems. This ensures that vulnerable people are identified and supported at the right time. HEDCON work to bridge the gap between stakeholders to improves service delivery and ensures that rights are fulfilled.

Based on the physical symptoms, HEDCON undertook a mass drive for examination of mineworkers for identification of silicosis by private doctors. In two years 2011-2012, it created files of about 500 mineworkers with silicosis and submitted their cases in labour court, which with time all got rejected because they were not certified by the Pneumoconiosis board and no mineworker could prove that they have worked in a particular mine for a long time. However, this was the first time when labour court had received any case for compensation for silicosis.

AWARENESS AND CAPACITY BUILDING

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

HEDCON assists other organizations to plan projects, do baselines studies, design monitoring mechanisms and conduct evaluations for disaster management and development programs. We make and publish awareness booklets and posters on issues of concern. Finally, we also support our network in planning and organizing events on social issues.