8 Ways USAID is Promoting and Protecting Democracy and Strengthening Human Rights Around the World
Read about programs in Georgia, Serbia, Jordan, Iraq, Mongolia, and Jamaica
The pursuit of transparent and effective governments; human rights; free and fair elections; and robust civil societies inspires our work at USAID. For decades, we have partnered with countries, communities, and people around the world to promote and protect democracy.
We remain steadfast in our belief that democracy is the very foundation of any society. One that fully includes and protects the rights of all people and allows their voices to be heard; and that gives all citizens the opportunity to thrive, live in dignity, and with freedom to choose their leaders and their own path. USAID is reinforcing its commitment to strengthen democratic governance and is investing in democracy work to advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.
Below are nine photos that capture the essence of how USAID and our partners are committed to this cause. These are winners and finalists of the 2021 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 the USAID/DRG sector.
1. Advancing Equal Human Rights Protections in Georgia:
This Pride Month photo was taken on May 17, 2018, by the Equality Movement, a Georgian civil society organization partnering with USAID to advance equal human rights protections for all Georgians. The Equality Movement is combating workplace discrimination against members of the LGBTQI+ community through evidence-based advocacy and awareness raising activities. USAID is honored to support these initiatives and will continue to work to ensure the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons are respected and advanced in our work.
2. Social and Civic Engagement Brings Connectivity and Opportunities in Georgia:
In 2019 and 2020, USAID’s flagship civil society program helped bring internet access to isolated mountainous communities in Georgia for 1,291 people — a challenging feat as depicted in this photo. Located high in the Greater Caucasus mountains, much of northern and eastern Georgia is isolated from the rest of the country. Many communities remain without telephone or internet connections. This isolation presents a serious obstacle to economic development and social integration — and is cited as a leading factor causing local residents to leave. With increased connectivity comes opportunities for social and civic engagement and to participate in politics at the local and national levels.
3. Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Serbia:
The “Red Badges” initiative, supported by USAID’s Civic Action for Accountability rapid response program, organized a guerrilla campaign in front of the Smederevo City Assembly in Serbia in order to raise awareness about the negative consequences of polluted air in February 2021. Activists left 223 pairs of shoes as a tribute to all those who passed away within one year as a result of air pollution. The action was organized to point out the lack of transparency and accountability of local authorities, and their inaccurate reporting about air conditions and consequences of air pollution in Smederevo.
4. Supporting Service Delivery and Economic Development in Jordan:
On May 18, Asma Arabiyat, a young engineer, pointed at old buildings in Al-Salt City, Jordan, a USAID partner municipality located 22 miles north of Amman, while holding a street naming and building numbering map. With the expansion of new neighborhoods, buildings, and streets, the USAID CITIES project supported 99 municipalities in Jordan with street names and building numbering maps and installed 5,062 street signs and 153,625 building numbers. This facilitates service delivery and fosters economic development by making the delivery of goods and services more efficient through the use of GPS navigation and location-based services. The system further enables the precise identification of persons and locations for other economic purposes, including banking, tourism, and telecommunications. USAID’s support also helped enhance expertise among government staff, intern engineers, and other local partners.
5. Streamlining Operations for Better Service Delivery in Iraq:
Located in Erbil, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Ifraz Water Treatment Plant provides clean water to over one million citizens in the urban and rural areas, as well as to vulnerable populations, including those living in the refugee camps. This photo depicts a USAID-trained technician on March 26, 2018, adjusting the water intake settings at the water plant, according to the new operations and maintenance protocol. USAID is helping support water directorates across Iraq in order to respond better to citizens’ urgent calls for reliable access to potable water by re-engineering the water system’s workflow and operations, and helping to equitably provide water services to all residents.
6. Educating Community Leaders on the Importance of Voting in Iraq:
In preparation for the anticipated elections in October 2021, USAID has been supporting seminars in rural Iraqi villages to educate community leaders — including prominent tribal sheikhs, mayors, professors, and clerics — on the importance of voting and their role in encouraging other residents to participate in the democratic process.
One seminar (pictured), held in Hawija village in Kirkuk on September 20, 2020, was organized outside to ensure safe COVID-19 protocols, with participants seated on rugs in a traditional manner that fostered discussion.
The seminars have brought together more than 24,000 Iraqis, including 10,000 women, and additional outreach through social media has reached millions more. Following the seminars, participants have shared an increased understanding in electoral technology, which alleviates confusion and disinformation while voting. Additionally, skepticism around elections has been reduced, especially given the new election system which makes it easier for voters to choose individuals, rather than only political parties — giving many a great sense of voice in their political system.
7. Promoting Legislative Strengthening Capacity in Mongolia:
In collaboration with the State Great Hural’s Parliamentary Research Institute (PRI) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, USAID hosted a workshop in May 2021, to strengthen the capacity of parliament members (MPs) and staff on citizen engagement in the legislative process. Participants included 12 MPs, the Senior Advisor to the Speaker, the General Secretary of the Parliament, and more than 50 officials. The event was the latest in a series of USAID-supported workshops on legislative transparency, and utilizing both traditional media and new digital platforms to engage constituents, as well as best practices and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this project, USAID is elevating the voices of women and youth in Mongolia’s democracy, empowering voters to engage civically, and supporting transparency and responsive governance.
8. Promoting Alternatives to At-Risk Youth in Jamaica:
Jamaica’s homicide rate is currently the highest in the Latin America and Caribbean region — with the primary source of social and community violence stemming from gangs and youth violence. In response, USAID is implementing activities in several high-crime communities, strengthening select government agencies, civil society organizations, and private entities that work to advance youth crime and violence prevention in hot spot communities. In this photo, Jamaicans Krystal Yates, Nicholas McKenzie, Deavournie Wright, and Oniel Ferron unwind with a domino game after a skills training session at the USAID-supported Forward Step Foundation in St. Catherine, October 28, 2019. The USAID-funded activity offers at-risk youth an alternative to crime through skills training in music production and jewelry making.
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.
