From Disparity to Dignity: Realizing Indigenous & Minority Rights in Development
Duration: January 2019 – March 2022
Countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Peru, Colombia
Communities: Various
What was this programme about?
This programme supported ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples in five states to enable the development of inclusive societies by addressing discriminatory laws, policies and practices that resulted in communities being deprived of their economic, social, and cultural rights and ‘left behind’ in development. More specifically, this project aimed at building the capacity of 150 minority and indigenous leaders and rights defenders (75 women) in five states to challenge unjust disparities in service and budget provisions through participatory research, and constructive dialogue with key stakeholders in target states. This allowed for reconfiguring services and engaging in advocacy work designed to keep relevant actors accountable to human rights legal standards and Agenda 2030 commitments, with a focus on inequalities and discrimination in health and education. Minority Rights Group International and partners assisted indigenous and/or minority groups from Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Peru, and Colombia in this project.
What did we achieve?
- We strengthened the ability of minority and indigenous rights holders (activists, paralegals, civil society organizations, community representatives) to analyse and report on economic, social and cultural rights
- Reinforced capacity to identify causes of differential access to economic, social and cultural rights and proposed practical and effective steps to address barriers keeping an intersectional approach in mind
- Increase in available quality and up-to-date information for duty bearers and rights holders on differential treatments regarding economic, social and cultural rights, the way they affect communities, as well as the underlying causes and structural reasons behind systemic discrimination
Who were our partners?
Our partner was the Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR).
Who funded this programme?
This programme was funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.