Protection of human rights defenders and rights for vulnerable groups are critical to ensuring improved access to justice. To build trust in the justice system, especially for vulnerable groups, citizens need to see that their justice needs are met regardless of their background or circumstances. Part of USAID’s efforts to provide greater protection for vulnerable groups include seeking greater representation by women in the legal services. In Bangladesh, USAID began a Women in Justice Initiative, which provided professional development opportunities to female judges, lawyers, and law students, thereby improving the gender balance in the justice sector and empowering women.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, USAID organized protection networks composed of local CSOs and created the Next Generation Evaluation, Measurement, and Observation (NEMO) system, an online platform for reporting threats to the protection networks. In South Africa USAID helped establish 28 sexual offenses courts and to train prosecutors to pursue and adjudicate sexual offenses using evidence-based best practices, as well as to develop Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs), which offer comprehensive services to SGBV victims. In Jordan, with support from USAID leadership and mentoring programs, the percentage of women represented in the justice sector increased from three percent in 2008 to 25 percent in 2020.
Full report can be found at: Rule of Law Achievements Review
