9 Ways USAID is Advancing Fundamental Freedoms, Promoting Democracy, and Strengthening Human Rights Around the World
Read about programs in Somalia, Kyrgyz Republic, Colombia, Laos, Kenya, and South Africa
The pursuit for democracy, fundamental freedoms, and human rights guides and inspires our work at USAID. For decades, we have partnered with countries, communities, and people around the world to strengthen resilient democratic societies.
Citizen-responsive governance is also a critical factor in development, and we believe it is not possible for any country to rise to its full potential without it.
USAID is reinforcing its commitment to strengthen democratic governance and is investing in democracy work to advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.
Above and below are 10 photos that capture the essence of how USAID and our partners are committed to this cause. These are winners and finalists of the 2020 USAID/Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) photo contest. The photos were submitted by implementing partners and USAID field missions, and judged by a panel from USAID/DRG.
Promoting Inclusive Elections — 1st Place Winner
On Feb. 23, 2019, Nigerian citizens, including marginalized groups, turned out to vote during the country’s general presidential elections. In polling unit 019 of Abuja Municipal Area, international observers from the joint International Republican Institute-National Democratic Institute International Election Observation Mission, funded by USAID, witnessed a male voter with disabilities exercise his democratic right by casting his ballot for leaders of his choice. With support from USAID, the International Republican Institute is implementing a responsive governance project that empowers women, youth, and persons with disabilities to actively participate in political processes and advocate for increased inclusion and representation. Photo by Toluwanimi Onibokun, the International Republican Institute.
Advancing the Role of Youth in Building Peace and Security — 2nd Place Winner
Working toward peace and justice has come at a cost to Ilwad Elman. Her father was assassinated in Mogadishu in 1996 — his campaign Drop the Gun, Pick up the Pen used education as a way to steer young men away from violence. After fleeing the country, and growing up in Ottawa, Ilwad returned to her native Somalia and now helps lead Elman Peace and Human Rights Center. It works on disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, countering of violent extremism, and security sector reform — with an overarching goal of advancing the role of youth in peace building and security on the continent. In 2019, Ilwad was a Nobel Prize Nominee and a USAID-supported 2014 YALI fellow. Photo by Sebastian Lindstrom.
Improving Access to Legal Services — 3rd Place Winner
In the Kyrgyz Republic, the registration of children at birth is absolutely essential to ensure that they can receive basic government services like access to public education or health care. However, according to UNICEF, there are more than 18,000 so-called “invisible” children under the age of 5 in Kyrgyzstan who do not have birth certificates. Until recently, this included Avaz, a 10-year-old boy from Tokmok, who was delivered at home by his father, and given a medical note by a doctor from a local clinic. At age 7, when Avaz faced being barred from school without a copy of his official birth certificate, a lawyer from a USAID-supported Free Legal Aid Center stepped in and assisted the family. After three different court hearings, Avaz finally received it, and is now a full member of society. Since 2016, over 132,000 people have received free legal assistance from one of the 25 USAID-supported Free Legal Aid Centers, which in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, is improving access to justice among vulnerable populations. Photo by Max Shubovich.
Empowering Children and Youth to Overcome Stigmatization — Top 10 Finalist
After several decades of control by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the communities of San Vicente de Caguán, Colombia, have been severely stigmatized. This has affected ex-combatants who are aiming to assimilate back into society and are met with resistance, and for those marginalized in society, including the LGBT community and persons with disabilities. Children and youth are still exposed to violence linked to illegal armed groups. Through an alliance with the Ministry of Culture, the USAID-funded and ACDI/VOCA-implemented Program of Partnerships for Reconciliation empowered children and youth in San Vicente del Caguán through filmmaking projects that promote collective memory construction and peacebuilding — to promote communities reconciling the past and moving forward. Through filmmaking workshops, 100 children and youth, including Isabel (pictured), 8, learned skills for scriptwriting, directing, camerawork, and acting to create their own short films. Photo by Katherine Ko, ACDI/VOCA.
Facilitating Community-Based Inclusion — Top 10 Finalist
Bounmy has been paraplegic since age 6, when she fell in the rice fields in her native Xay Nadou Village in Laos. She lives with her brother in a rural area. Travelling on her own had been impossible, and climbing up and down the steep wooden stairs at home was extremely difficult. Now, through the support of the USAID Okard project — implemented by World Education via a community-based inclusive development facilitator who designed personalized interventions — Bounmy has become more independent and is using a wheelchair for moving and meeting friends in the village. She also attended a six-month vocational training course in Vientiane capital, and now runs a business from her porch. Additionally, through the physical rehabilitation component of the activity, Bounmy has started using a scoot board with push-up handles to help increase her functional mobility and better access her home. Photo by Athit Chanthalath, USAID/Laos.
Developing Responsive Governance Systems — Top 10 Finalist
Mary Emma, 21, Elphas Guya, 28, and Phoebe Achieng, 28, listen intently to the discussion of the 2019–2020 county budget on Ratego FM in Siaya County, Kenya. The USAID’s Agile Harmonized Assistance for Devolved Institutions (AHADI) has developed locally-led programs that empower citizens through public participation to inform development priorities and hold governments accountable for service delivery with a focus on gender, social inclusion, and human rights. USAID’s AHADI supports Kenyan institutions to promote transparent, accountable, effective service delivery, and responsive governance systems. The activity works with all stakeholders to address cross-sectoral governance processes and capacity challenges that impact local service delivery. Photo by Amunga Eshuchi.
Raising Awareness of Human Rights Violations — Top 10 Finalist
Community members from Mpumalanga, South Africa, along with Lifa Lesive Community Development Agency (LLCDA), held a peaceful march to raise awareness of human rights violations related to the safety and security of residents — including women and children. During the march, LLCDA submitted a petition to the station commander of Pienaar Police Station requesting a mobile police station and increased SAPS (South African Police Services) visibility in and around the Msogwaba community as a means to curb violent crime and lawlessness. The USAID-supported Promoting Civic Education and Participation in South Africa program, implemented by Freedom House, has strengthened the ability of civil society and community-based organizations to more effectively conduct civic education activities in their communities and support their efforts to engage citizens in the political process. Photo by Freedom House.
Fostering Equal Rights — Top 10 Finalist
Ukrainian LGBTQ activists across the country have worked diligently to raise awareness of the rights of LGBTQ people, despite facing protest, stigma, and violence. The first Kyiv Pride March to promote the rights of the LGBTQ community was supposed to take place in May 2012, but was canceled due to the threat of clashes with opponents of equality for LGBTQ people. In 2015, Kyiv Pride took place with 250 participants. By 2019, the number had grown to 8,000. While homophobia and hate crimes remain serious, activists have used this as motivation for increased civic engagement, expanding the number of allies for LGBTQ rights every year. IFES believes that equal rights should be guaranteed for everyone. Photo by Roman Shalamov, IFES.
About the Author
Jessica Benton Cooney is the Lead Communications and Outreach Specialist for USAID’s Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance.
