http://www.gsdrc.org Academic and policy-relevant publications on governance and international development. en-uk Copyright © 2012 Governance and Social Development Resource Centre Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:10 GMT Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:10 GMT http://www.gsdrc.org/rss/open george@gsdrc.org george@gsdrc.org http://www.gsdrc.org/images/logos/logo_gsdrc.gif http://www.gsdrc.org 205 90 GSDRC logo David Stephens and Mia Urbano How can legal empowerment advance the human rights of people living with and vulnerable to HIV? This study explores how HIV legal empowerment strategies are evolving. It shows that the law has been the axis around which debates have revolved on the restriction or promotion of rights. For a person experiencing HIV-related stigma, a legal empowerment approach affirms and restores his or her humanity and citizenship and supports psychological wellbeing. These are essential dimensions of overall welfare and health. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4228&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4228&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Mariz Tadros How has the new approach to religion since 9/11 impacted on efforts to address women’s rights? How has it affected women’s day to day realities? This study examines various forms of instrumentalisation of religion, gender and human rights, against the backdrop of today’s volatile political context, the rise of identity politics and increased economic inequality and deprivation. It argues that the binaries of religious versus secular, moderate Islamist versus radical Islamist, feminist versus Muslim activist, conceal the ambiguities and fluidity of identities, strategies of engagement and framing of ideas. They are undermining efforts to improve the lives of women. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4227&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4227&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT James Harrison This study examines the practice of Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA). It argues that, while a uniform HRIA process in all fields will not be appropriate, eight core elements represent the 'minimum core' of a valid process: screening, scoping, evidence gathering, consultation, analysis, producing policy-oriented recommendations, publication, and monitoring and review. Overall, better performance monitoring is crucial, and the people undertaking HRIAs need a deep understanding of human rights. More reflection is also required on the connection between HRIAs and the people affected by the policies and practices that HRIAs seek to influence. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4226&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4226&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT DFID Does formal recognition of a right to sanitation (RTS) increase levels of availability and access to quality, affordable and adaptable sanitation services? This study finds that progress towards these goals seems to be faster in countries that have recognised an RTS. It is highly probable that sanitation services in countries seeking to fulfil an RTS will be more equitable and inclusive than elsewhere. However, attributing successes to a rights approach will require better monitoring and evaluation that includes rights-sensitive indicators. A further finding is that what makes formal recognition meaningful is a participatory approach to working to fulfil rights: citizen-state engagement is crucial. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4210&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4210&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT World Health Organisation and the World Bank This report finds that more than a billion people, about 15 per cent of the world's population, are estimated to live with some form of disability. It synthesises the evidence on how to address the barriers they face in health, rehabilitation, support and assistance, environments, education and employment. It argues that many of the barriers are avoidable, and that the disadvantages associated with disability can be overcome. Multiple, systemic interventions are needed. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4193&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4193&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT UNESCO To what extent are the goals of Education for All being achieved in countries affected by armed conflict? This report shows that there is not only a lack of provision of education but also a failure to protect education systems and their students, and to devote sufficient funds to education in reconstruction and peacebuilding programmes. It argues that educational challenges in conflict-affected states are largely unreported, and that education in such contexts merits a far more central place on the international development agenda. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4185&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4185&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Social Protection Floor Advisory Group This report outlines recommendations on how to extend social protection coverage through the social protection floor approach. A social protection floor involves an integrated set of nationally-driven and tailored policies designed to guarantee a) income security (through social transfers in cash or in kind); and b) universal access to essential, affordable social services. The successful phasing-in of a social protection floor will require political will, fiscal space and effective institutions. Where low-income countries require some initial assistance for social protection floor initiatives, donors need to improve aid coordination and provide multi-year, direct budgetary support and capacity building. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4184&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4184&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Anne Grandjean How can policy interventions help in securing children's access to justice? Widespread acceptance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) implies a profound change in attitudes to children, but obstacles remain for children in accessing justice. This chapter analyses initiatives targeting the 'demand-side' of justice for children. It highlights principles such as targeting the most excluded children, local ownership, and a multi-disciplinary, systemic approach. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4176&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4176&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Tricia Olsen, Leigh Payne and Andrew Reiter Evidence from the Transitional Justice Data Base shows that specific combinations of mechanisms – (1) trials and amnesties, and (2) trials, amnesties and truth commissions – improve human rights and democracy. These findings suggest a 'justice balance' approach to transitional justice – that trials provide accountability and amnesties provide stability. Truth commissions alone have a negative impact on human rights and democracy, but contribute positively when combined with trials and amnesties. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4165&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4165&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT Edward Cameron What are the social and political implications of a discourse linking climate change and human rights? How is this discourse relevant for development practitioners? The human rights lens has rapidly emerged from obscurity to prominence and has succeeded in broadening the scope of climate change debate. This paper predicts that vulnerable groups worldwide will increasingly use arguments based on human rights to demand action. However, this discourse will need to adapt and demonstrate practical value for policymaking in order to achieve substantive outcomes. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4163&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4163&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Arne Tostensen et al. This report synthesises lessons learned from an evaluation of Norwegian and Swedish aid interventions that aimed to promote child rights in Guatemala, Kenya, Mozambique and Sudan. It notes that a child rights perspective is integrated to the extent that interventions embody the four main principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. More effort is needed to implement in particular the principle of the child's right to express views and be heard, as child participation currently tends to be tokenistic. The strategies of mainstreaming a child rights perspective and of focusing interventions on children are complementary. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4161&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4161&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT World Bank There are a number of pathways back from the brink of violent conflict, but there are two common elements in successful cases. The first is building 'inclusive-enough' coalitions, and identifying the signals and commitment mechanisms that can galvanise support for change. Pacts to end violence need not be all-inclusive, and can promote peace if they are minimally inclusive at the beginning. The second element is delivering results on the ground to build confidence in citizen security, justice and economic prospects. For both elements, successful transitions have made astute use of capacity from the private sector, traditional institutions and non-governmental organisations. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4145&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4145&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT Naila Kabeer et al. What impact can social mobilisation NGOs have on democratic knowledge, practice and engagement? International donors have increasingly encouraged development NGOs to take up a service delivery function, to the detriment of social mobilisation functions. This paper reports on a quantitative study of the impact of an NGO in Bangladesh, Nijera Kori (NK), which prioritises rights, social mobilisation and solidarity. The results of NK's focus have important implications for enhanced democratic accountability and suggest an alternative civil society approach to improving democratic citizenship. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4116&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4116&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT Lorenzo Cotula How can the benefits to local groups of foreign investment into local resources be maximised and the costs minimised? This study analyses legal tools that have been used in several African countries to secure the resource rights of local groups affected by foreign investment projects. Empowerment can occur through opening to negotiation decisions that were previously closed to local groups, or by providing local groups with tools to aid their negotiations with external actors. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4082&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4082&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT Commission on Legal Empowerment of the Poor What are the key components of a fully functional property system and what dysfunctionalities limit fair access to property? How can property systems be reformed in a way that enables the poor to access and secure property? This chapter suggests that a pro-poor reform strategy for effectively functioning property systems should be based on land tenure security, the creation of opportunity for investment, and adequate management of risk. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4081&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4081&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT Andrea Cornwall and John Gaventa What is the role of citizen participation in social policy formation and implementation in this era of globalisation? How do changing conditions affect the way civil society actors can exercise voice and influence? This paper explores an approach to social policy that sees citizens not only as users or choosers but also as active participants who engage in making and shaping social policy and social provisioning. It argues that the concept of 'social citizenship' should be expanded to include not only concepts of social rights but also of social accountability through direct and participatory forms of democratic governance. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4071&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4071&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Mon, 01 Jan 2001 00:00:00 GMT John W. Bruce et al. What does Legal Empowerment of the Poor (LEP) mean? How can it be achieved and assessed? This paper outlines LEP's components – the enhancement, awareness, enablement and enforcement of rights. Synergies could be realised if projects pursued components simultaneously. It is difficult to address legal empowerment issues at the appropriate level: an intervention might fail because it is too superficial, or because it is too ambitious and is blocked by vested interests. However, some LEP interventions can be combined in ways that avoid losing important but risky opportunities. Indicators for assessing LEP could be divided into those which reflect efforts to deliver LEP, and those which measure its realisation. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4064&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4064&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT Nazneen Kanji et al. This research examines the current processes of land rights registration in Ethiopia, Ghana and Mozambique and assesses their outcomes for vulnerable groups. It shows that land registration is not inherently anti-poor. The distributional consequences of land registration depend on the design of the registration process and of the institutions responsible for its management. It is important to design land registration systems that secure the land rights of marginalised groups in specific geographic and historical contexts, rather than adopting blueprint solutions based on Western models. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4050&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4050&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT Access Info How can members of the public and civil society in countries which have access to information laws use the right to information to assess aid effectiveness? This guide explains how to access information about donor activities, budgets, projects, evaluations and other information related to the delivery and implementation of development aid. Lack of information on aid facilitates inefficiency, ineffective use of resources and corruption. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4044&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4044&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT Michelle Parlevliet How far does the promotion of human rights help in efforts to address conflict and build peace? This study argues that the transformation of violent conflict to sustainable peace requires insights and strategies from both the human rights and the conflict transformation fields. Considering the two together enhances analysis of the underlying causes, dynamics and manifestations of conflict. A human rights perspective highlights the sociopolitical nature of conflict transformation. It suggests the need to recognise the role and responsibility of the state and the nature and functioning of systems of governance. http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4029&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed http://www.gsdrc.org/go/display&type=Document&id=4029&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gsdrc&utm_source=newsfeed Human rights Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT