6 Human Rights Organizations Focused On Education And Equality
When it comes to human rights around the world, there are many issues that need to be addressed, from authoritarian governments that censor and jail journalists to laws that discriminate against women and LGBTQIA+ people. That's why organizations like the ones listed here advocate for civil liberties and work toward a society where everyone is treated equitably. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
Groups Advocating For Human Rights
| Name | Mission |
|---|---|
| Intersex Campaign for Equality | Promote human rights and equality for all intersex people through arts, education, and action |
| National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission | Promote and protect the equality and inclusion of LGBTIQ individuals and communities in Kenya, and advance their meaningful participation in society |
| EuroMed Feminist Initiative | Contribute to challenging the present gender power structures in order to correct their misbalances through fighting discrimination and oppression of women and bringing about positive changes for the whole society |
| Equitas | Advance equality, social justice, and respect for human dignity through transformative human rights education programs in Canada and around the world |
| Rights in Russia | Provide information about human rights in Russia and support the work of human rights organizations based in the Russian Federation |
| Alturi | Provide updates and information on the issues and challenges facing the LGBTI community around the globe |
Issues Faced By The LGBTQIA+ Community
- Violent hate crimes
- Employment discrimination
- Parents who reject their LGBTQ+ children
- Bathrooms and other public accommodations being exclusionary
- Unequal healthcare
- Housing discrimination
- Criminal justice
- Everyday prejudice
The Urgency of Intersectionality
Percentage Of Women In The U.S. Workforce
The percentage of men & women in the civilian labor force over time, according to the U.S. Department of Labor
| Year | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 29.6% | 70.4% |
| 1960 | 33.4% | 66.6% |
| 1970 | 38.1% | 61.9% |
| 1980 | 42.5% | 57.5% |
| 1990 | 45.2% | 54.8% |
| 2000 | 46.5% | 53.5% |
| 2010 | 46.7% | 53.3% |
Inside Russia's Propaganda Machine
In Depth
Stifling information is one of the most common tactics used to prop up authoritarian regimes, or enable repression of marginalized groups. By the same token, educating the public about injustices, alternatives, and challenges to the status quo is a powerful tool for those defending human rights. In no particular order, here are six groups offering informational resources to push for equality around the world.
Beginning our overview at #1 is the Intersex Campaign for Equality, which promotes respect and equal rights for individuals who do not fit the two-gender paradigm. This organization shares educational materials including articles, essays, and fact sheets, to increase understanding of intersex people and awareness of the discrimination they face.
IC4E promotes intersex acceptance through the arts, highlighting works by non-binary performance artists, filmmakers, and other creators shedding light on the experience of nonconformity with gender expectations. The group protests against discrimination based on intersex status, argues against surgery to assign infant gender, and shares information about action opportunities.
The group protests against discrimination based on intersex status, argues against surgery to assign infant gender, and shares information about action opportunities.
Next up at #2 is The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, which works to achieve equality for sexual and gender minorities in Kenya. The group challenges discriminatory laws through litigation and advocacy, and operates a legal aid center for LGBTQ+ people who have faced unjust treatment. NGLHRC also offers a guide to legal rights for those facing arrest for their orientation.
The commission provides paralegal training and civic education for LGBTQ+ Kenyans throughout the country, including learning activities like moot courts, and provides legal and safety resources. The Because Womxn program offers monthly forums and other gatherings for female-identified and non-binary individuals. NGLHRC also shares news about human rights issues, and organizes events to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes.
At #3 we have EuroMed Feminist Initiative, a network of organizations throughout the Mediterranean region dedicated to women's rights. Aiming to promote legal frameworks that secure equal protection and opportunity, the group produces policy briefs and handbooks articulating a path toward reform. EFI also organizes events to share strategies between groups working toward female empowerment in the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Aiming to promote legal frameworks that secure equal protection and opportunity, the group produces policy briefs and handbooks articulating a path toward reform.
EFI works to catalyze collaboration on feminist issues in the region, including women's civic participation in Syria, implementing UN resolutions in Iraq, and the role of women in peace negotiations. The Initiative also conducts training on topics like awareness raising techniques, or providing support for gender violence survivors, and shares stories illustrating progress toward equality.
Coming in at #4 is Equitas, a Canadian group conducting human rights education around the globe. Founded in Montreal in 1967, this initiative has grown to include programs in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East, as well as its home country. Each year Equitas offers the International Human Rights Training Program, an opportunity for educators to network, strategize, and share knowledge about promoting equality.
The training programs from Equitas support reforms such as female empowerment, religious tolerance, and LGBTQ+ acceptance. The organization evaluates the impact of these efforts on an ongoing basis, and publishes resources detailing lessons learned. It offers several initiatives helping to familiarize young people with human rights ideas, and encourages active engagement in the community.
It offers several initiatives helping to familiarize young people with human rights ideas, and encourages active engagement in the community.
Following up at #5 is Rights in Russia, an independent nonprofit supporting freedom and an open society within the Russian Federation. Created in 2010, to mark the anniversary of the murders of human rights lawyer Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova, this organization calls attention to abuses like political imprisonment, suppression of reporters, and crackdowns on protests.
Rights in Russia works to highlight prominent critics of repression, spreading awareness of their efforts to promote transparency and freedom of expression. The organization also offers information about groups like the Memorial Human Rights Centre and Agora, which work to challenge speech suppression and police power. Its podcasts host conversations with notable defenders of Russian civil liberty.
We'll close with #6, Alturi, which strives to provide informational resources and community to LGBTI people, and to supporters of equal treatment for those of all orientations. Deriving its name from British World War II hero Alan Turing, who was persecuted for his sexuality, this organization shares news from around the world about efforts to secure rights for gender and sexual minorities.
Deriving its name from British World War II hero Alan Turing, who was persecuted for his sexuality, this organization shares news from around the world about efforts to secure rights for gender and sexual minorities.
Alturi offers updates on LGBTI issues all over the globe, from rising equality movements in the Middle East and Africa to ongoing legal struggles over gay and trans rights in the West. The group shares perspectives on acceptance and identity, personal stories from those on the front lines of the struggle for human rights, and reflections on the role of arts and culture in promoting understanding.
