Human Rights

Malawi is a multiparty democracy with a population of approximately 15 million. In April, 2012 Joyce Banda took over through a smooth transition as President in what local and international observers characterized as a sign that Malawi respects the Rule of Law. Her Government inherited serious challenges ranging from economic hardships, bad governance and donor fatigue.

The Right to Information (RTI) or Freedom of Information (FoI) movement has made huge strides since the first FoI law was enacted in Sweden in 1766. Freedom of Information was included (as Article 19) in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, described by the UN General Assembly as “a fundamental Human Right and the touchstone of all the freedoms...” But it was not until the late 20th century that advocates of greater transparency really began to push for laws that guaranteed access to information.

One of the intended uses of the WJP Rule of Law Index is as an action planning tool for global civil society. The Rule of Law Index truly comes alive when citizens are given the opportunity to analyze information and shape implementation with their own aspirations and situational context.

Why are women being excluded from more profitable aspects of agriculture in Cote d’Ivoire? My colleagues and I were surrounded by women dressed in their best. Their colorful, patterned pagnes, or cloth wraps, were everywhere I turned in the village of Kouadioyaokro, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast). I was in West Africa in January to listen to women cocoa farmers about their roles in the supply chains that result in my favorite chocolate treats.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is going through historic political, social, and identity transitions. There are five dynamics catalyzing these transitions, including the widening embrace of violence by both state and non-state actors to pursue socio-religious and political agendas and a push for new governance structures without the requisite institutions and social contract.

With the country’s hopes pinned upon presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for July, the arrest of prominent human rights lawyer and activist Beatrice Mtetwa the day of a sweeping referendum on a new constitution has Zimbabwe’s promising present looking more and more like Robert Mugabe ten years ago.

The Justice Rising Blog aims to highlight grassroots projects that are striving to advance the rule of law. If you would like to highlight your project or organization, send us an email at [email protected]! Name Of Organization: East-West Management Institute, funded by USAID Project Title:  Program on Rights and Justice in Cambodia II (PRAJ II) Project Location:  Cambodia

In September 2000, world leaders unanimously adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a series of specific targets for poverty eradication, universal primary school enrollment, gender equality, reduction in child and maternal mortality, combating major disease and ensuring environmental sustainability. The MDGs galvanized developing countries and their international partners to take concrete and tangible steps towards achieving these targets, with some remarkable progress along the way.

As we continue to celebrate the social, political, and economic progress made by women all around the world, as well as acknowledge the remaining challenges, take a look at an organization working to level the playing field for women - both literally and metaphorically.