Good governance, Democracy and Human Rights at all levels are fundamental to economic growth, political stability, human capital development, peace and security. We work to tackle many aspects of weak governance, human rights abuse, and to promote full respect of the rule of law, equity, equality, increase transparency, freedom of speech and expression, freedom to participate in the political and electoral processes; and develop effective legislation, and strong democratic systems and institutions as the foundation of a functioning State.
Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) Strategy highlights the centrality of participation and accountability to the achievement of human rights and democratic governance. It also recognizes that support for democracy, human rights and governance is vital to the pursuit of freedom and national security.
Our goal is to support the establishment and consolidation of inclusive and accountable democracies to advance freedom, dignity and development. To achieve this goal, the Strategy sets four strategic objectives:
- Promote participatory, representative and inclusive political processes and government institutions.
- Foster greater accountability of institutions and leaders to citizens and to the law.
- Protect and promote universally recognized human rights.
- Improve development outcomes through the integration of DRG principles and practices across our development portfolio.
Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG) Strategy highlights the centrality of participation and accountability to the achievement of human rights and democratic governance. It also recognizes that support for democracy, human rights and governance is vital to the pursuit of freedom and national security.
- More than half of the world’s population live under autocratic or partly free governments, denied full civil liberties and unable to freely participate in political life. A country cannot be truly democratic until its citizens have the opportunity to choose their representatives through elections that are free and fair.
NEED FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTION
We are focused on building strong democratic institutions, and systems that promotes equity, fairness and equal participation of all; in order to cut the great gulf between men in power viz a viz women and young people.
- Democratic Governance – Building open, responsive, and accountable institutions and processes that serve the needs and preferences of the public.
- Participation – Ensuring that all have the opportunity to participate and have a voice and stake in how they will be governed. We must encourage more women and youth’s participation in the political process closing up the great gulf between the aforementioned group and the older men.
- Fair Competition – Promoting free, transparent and fair political competition so that citizens’ preferences are represented.
- Civil Society and Independent Media – Defending citizens’ rights of association and expression, so that they can play a role in their country’s future.
- Justice – Holding institutions and people responsible to the rule of law. Ensuring that the electoral frameworks remain impartial, and credible.
- Active citizen participation: Through the get out to vote grassroots campaigns and mobilization, that citizens of voting age are registered and are not disfranchised by unfavorable electoral laws and acts.
- Inclusion of women, youths and other disadvantaged groups are well represented in government and policy making bodies.
- Ensuring effective governance by elected leaders, holding them accountable, while ensuring competitive multi party systems and sustainable local engagements and representations.
BUILDING STRONG INSTITUTIONS
We are focused on building strong democratic institutions, and systems that promotes equity, fairness and equal participation of all; in order to cut the great gulf between men in power viz a viz women and young people.
- Democratic Governance – Building open, responsive, and accountable institutions and processes that serve the needs and preferences of the public.
- Participation – Ensuring that all have the opportunity to participate and have a voice and stake in how they will be governed. We must encourage more women and youths participation in the political process closing up the great gulf between the aforementioned group and the older men.
- Fair Competition – Promoting free, transparent and fair political competition so that citizens’ preferences are represented.
- Civil Society and Independent Media – Defending citizens’ rights of association and expression, so that they can play a role in their country’s future.
- Justice – Holding institutions and people responsible to the rule of law. Ensuring that the electoral frameworks remain impartial, and credible.
- Active citizen participation: Through the get out to vote grassroots campaigns and mobilization, that citizens of voting age are registered and are not disfranchised by unfavorable electoral laws and acts.
- Inclusion of women, youths and other disadvantaged groups are well represented in government and policy making bodies.
- Ensuring effective governance by elected leaders, holding them accountable, while ensuring competitive multi party systems and sustainable local engagements and representations.
