Footsteps 66

HUMAN RIGHTS

Photo: Peter Clark

The Bible tells us that God created all men and women with equal value and that we should love our neighbour as ourselves. The UN Declaration of Human Rights says that all people have equal rights, no matter what their gender, race, nationality, religion, politics, opinions or social status. And yet when we look at our world today we can see so much injustice, discrimination, violence and suffering caused because people do not respect the rights of others.

It is easy to feel angry and sad at the injustice in the world, but harder to find practical solutions to the problem. In this issue we look at some of the ways people are addressing problems in their communities, and advocating for their rights.

Please find below articles from Footsteps issue 66 in html.

To download a pdf version of Footsteps issue 66 click here (426K).

Access to justice in Peru by Ruth Alvarado and Alfonso Wieland. Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope) is a Christian organisation in Peru that promotes social justice by defending the human rights of individuals and communities that are marginalised, or have no access to justice... More >>

Advocacy practitioners Many people who suffer injustice feel unable to take any action. They may fear further injustice, they may be poor and feel they are of no importance or they may lack understanding of their rights. The advocacy department in Kale Heywet Church in Eth... More >>

Bible study Men, women and God It is easy to let our own cultural ideas and assumptions influence our understanding of biblical texts. For example, the idea that men are called to lead in the church, and women only to follow, has dominated the thinking about g... More >>

Editorial The Bible tells us that God created all men and women with equal value and that we should love our neighbour as ourselves. The UN Declaration of Human Rights says that all people have equal rights, no matter what their gender, race, nationality, reli... More >>

From needs-based to rights-based approaches Many organisations now use ‘rights-based approaches’ to development. These approaches hold institutions and powerful people accountable for their responsibilities to those with less power. Rights-based approaches differ from ‘needs-based’ or ‘welfare... More >>

Letters Participatory learning about HIV and AIDS It is vital to use a participatory approach for introducing and also for building competence around the many different issues relating to HIV and AIDS. As it is said of learning: I hear … I forget.I see …... More >>

Poster with a gender challenge Tearfund’s partner in Ethiopia, Kale Heywet Church, has supported work in water and sanitation over many years in Ethiopia. They have a team of health educators who work with communities, raising awareness of hygiene, sanitation and capacity developm... More >>

Reducing the risk of sexual violence in emergencies Design and locate camps for refugees or internally displaced people in consultation with refugees and displaced people to increase physical security. Ensure that public water points, latrines and other facilities (schools, health posts) are locat... More >>

Resources Created in God’s Image This is a manual for churches on gender awareness and leadership development, produced by the World Alliance of Reformed Churches to help men and women to work together in equal partnership within the church, community and wi... More >>

Restoring hope by Baliesima Kadukima Albert Gender-based violence (GBV) is violence, sexual or otherwise, that is due to gender inequalities. It is recognised as a human rights abuse. Women and girls are the main victims, as gender-based violence is rooted in tra... More >>

Self-help groups: empowering women by Kuki Rokhum. The Indian constitution grants equal rights to men and women. Yet the reality is that women’s lives are still shaped by customs and traditions that work against them. Daughters are viewed as less valuable than sons. Girls are taught... More >>

Small World Theatre Small World Theatre is an educational charity that uses performing arts in community development, advocacy and awareness-raising. They train local theatre groups in participatory drama methods, and work with communities to explore governance, rights ... More >>

The UN Declaration of Human Rights The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that all people have the same equal and undeniable rights, no matter what their gender, race, nationality, religion, politics, opinions or social status. The Declaration states that ... More >>

Transformation through courage and partnership Many widows and orphans in Africa are denied their inheritance rights to property or land, which often go to the husband’s brothers or other male relatives instead, leaving the family homeless and destitute. Agnes was born in the province of Makamb... More >>

Using drama in community advocacy work 1 Identify the problem Choose the human rights issue that you want to focus on. This should be a general problem known to the group or community. Identify who in the community suffers from abuse, and who is responsible. For example, one problem mig... More >>

Working with disability This article is adapted with permission from an article by Alexandra Frean, © The Times, London, 26th July 2005. No copying, photocopying, reproduction or electronic rights are available in this article without the prior permission of the copyright h... More >>

ECHO funding Feedback on tilz