GENDER EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN IDLO'S PROGRAMME OF ACTION

GENDER EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN IDLO'S PROGRAMME OF ACTION
 
1. The reality of gender inequality and human rights violations in developing countries
In the global picture of the 21st century, although humanity has achieved many remarkable achievements in economics, science, technology and social civilization, gender inequality and human rights violations are still intractable challenges, especially in developing countries. This is not only a social issue, but also a core barrier to sustainable development, when half of the population is limited in their opportunities to contribute to political and economic life, while many other vulnerable groups still have to live in a situation where their basic rights are trampled. In fact, many international reports have shown that this inequality does not naturally decrease with economic development, but on the contrary, in some contexts, it is deepened by cultural, political, religious factors, and even by the incomplete legal system itself. Gender inequality and human rights violations thus become a vicious cycle that traps millions of people in developing countries in poverty, excluded from development and unable to reach their full potential.
Gender inequality is most evident in the field of education . In many countries in South Asia and Africa, millions of girls do not go to school or have to drop out early because of the traditional notion that women's primary role is only related to family and childcare, not knowledge or career. According to UNESCO, there are still more than 120 million girls worldwide who have never set foot in school, with a high percentage concentrated in countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In Afghanistan, after recent political changes, girls' right to education has been severely restricted, forcing millions of girls from secondary school and above to stay at home. This not only deprives them of development opportunities, but also undermines the country's ability to develop human resources. Even in places where girls do attend school, the quality of education they receive is often lower, because families often prioritize investment in boys, or school facilities do not meet the specific needs of female students.
In the economic and employment sectors , gender inequality is reflected in large gaps in income, career opportunities and working conditions. In many developing countries, women are predominantly employed in informal jobs, without employment contracts or social insurance, earning much lower wages than men for the same work. For example, in South Asia, the wage gap between men and women still ranges from 20-30%. In addition , women often have to shoulder the “double burden”: working for a living while also caring for family, children and the elderly. While men have many opportunities for advancement, women are rarely considered for leadership or management positions. This not only limits women’s opportunities for personal development, but also deprives society of an important resource in policy making and community leadership.
Gender inequality is particularly acute in politics and decision-making . In most developing countries, the number of women parliamentarians, ministers or senior leaders is very low. Although many countries have adopted a “quota” policy for women in parliament, implementation is limited and sometimes only formal. In some African countries, although the law stipulates that at least 30% of parliamentary seats belong to women, in reality many of them do not have the power to influence the decision-making process. In South Asian countries, the influence of patriarchal practices makes it difficult for women to run for office independently; they often appear in politics only as representatives of their families or male-led political factions.
Not to be overlooked is the issue of property rights and inheritance , which is a major barrier to women’s economic empowerment. In many developing countries, laws or traditional practices still restrict women’s rights to own land, property, or inheritance from their parents. For example, in some parts of South Asia and the Middle East, women often do not have the right to own land after marriage, all property is decided by their husbands or their husbands’ families. This results in women having no collateral to borrow money, being unable to participate in formal economic activities, and therefore being completely dependent on men. This dependence not only weakens women’s position, but also makes them vulnerable to domestic violence without the ability to defend themselves economically.
One of the most visible and serious manifestations of gender inequality is violence against women and girls . In many developing countries, domestic violence, sexual violence, child marriage, and human trafficking are still common. According to the United Nations, 1 in 3 women globally experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, mostly in low- and middle-income countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, child and forced marriages are still common, with many girls as young as 13–14 years old being forced to marry, leading to serious consequences for reproductive health and educational opportunities. In South Asia, many cases of sexual violence go unpunished or are not treated fairly due to weak justice systems and gender bias. Meanwhile, trafficking of women and children for prostitution or forced labor remains a problem in poor countries where women have no means to protect themselves.
Along with gender inequality, human rights violations are also a worrying reality in developing countries. First of all, there is the issue of freedom of speech and freedom of the press . In many countries, especially those with unstable political systems, people are restricted in their right to express their opinions, journalists and social activists are often threatened, arrested or even assassinated. Stifling freedom of speech deprives society of the opportunity for open debate, weakens the foundation of democracy and hinders the development of civil society.
In addition, the right to life free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment is not guaranteed in many places. In countries experiencing conflict or political instability, people are often at risk of arbitrary arrest, torture or disappearance. Many international organizations have documented detention without trial, extrajudicial executions and abuses by security forces in many countries.
Political participation and freedom of assembly are also areas of human rights that are frequently violated. People in some developing countries are not free to form unions, associations or engage in peaceful protests. In many places, participation in opposition political activities can even lead to arrest, imprisonment or violence. This excludes people from the policy-making process, prevents them from monitoring state power and leads to corruption of the ruling apparatus.
It is impossible not to mention the rights of vulnerable groups such as ethnic minorities, migrants, people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community. In many developing countries, these groups still face stigma and discrimination in education, employment, health care and access to justice. For example, the LGBTQ+ community in many African and Asian countries still faces criminalization, violence or imprisonment based on their sexual orientation. Migrants and refugees, lacking clear legal status, often suffer abuse in labor and do not have access to basic health care or education.
The causes of gender inequality and human rights violations in developing countries are diverse and complex. First is the socio-economic cause, when poverty and the gap between rich and poor make it difficult for women and vulnerable groups to access development opportunities. Second is the cultural and customary cause, when many societies are still strongly influenced by patriarchy, which values men and marginalizes women. Third is the institutional and legal cause, when the legal system in many countries is incomplete, not strictly enforced or even has discriminatory regulations. Fourth is the impact of conflict and crisis, because in a state of instability, human rights are often the first to be sacrificed.
The impact of gender inequality and human rights violations is profound. It not only harms individuals, but also hinders the development of communities and nations. A society where women are not educated, employed and politically active is a society that has cut off half of its development potential. A country where human rights are seriously violated will find it difficult to build social trust, and thus easily fall into a spiral of instability and prolonged poverty. Therefore, promoting gender equality and protecting human rights is not only a moral responsibility, but also a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development.
In this context, the role of the rule of law and the support of the international community, including organizations such as IDLO, becomes particularly important. Only when there is a fair, transparent and effectively enforced legal system, can human rights be truly protected and gender equality have a chance to become a reality.
2. How IDLO integrates gender equality and human rights into its activities
In the global development landscape, one of IDLO’s highlights is its strong commitment to placing gender equality and human rights at the heart of all its action programs. Unlike many other international organizations that focus solely on legal technical assistance or professional training, IDLO considers the integration of these two elements as an indispensable foundation for building a sustainable rule of law state. Because the rule of law is not simply the presence of a legal system and courts, but also the guarantee that all people, regardless of gender, social status or personal circumstances, enjoy the same basic rights, have equal access to justice and have the opportunity to develop their potential. This is the “inclusive” approach that IDLO has pursued for decades, clearly reflected in both its organizational strategy and each specific project.
Firstly, strategically, IDLO has clearly identified gender equality and human rights as two pillars throughout the 2025–2028 Strategic Plan as well as in previous orientation documents. In all programs, from judicial reform, institutional strengthening, legal support for vulnerable communities to building a legal framework for economics and trade, the organization emphasizes the principle of “leaving no one behind”. This means that all support activities must be designed to be accessible and beneficial to vulnerable groups, especially women, children, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities or the LGBTQ+ community. IDLO also sets specific monitoring indicators on women’s participation rates, on the elimination of discriminatory legal provisions, as well as on the number of vulnerable people accessing legal aid through projects. This is a mechanism to ensure that gender equality and human rights do not just exist at the level of slogans, but are actually institutionalized and verified by concrete results.
In fact, IDLO’s integration of these two elements is evident in its judicial reform programs . When supporting a country to build or reform its court system, IDLO goes beyond training judges or standardizing trial procedures, and focuses on increasing women’s participation in the judiciary. In Nepal, for example, IDLO has implemented a program to increase the proportion of female judges, prosecutors, and lawyers, because their presence not only creates a more inclusive and diverse image of justice, but also ensures that women’s voices are heard during the trial process. At the same time, IDLO’s training courses always include content on gender-sensitive trials, to help judicial officers better understand the specifics of cases related to domestic violence, sexual abuse, or discrimination against women and girls. This makes the application of the law more equitable, without unintentionally reproducing old social prejudices that are disadvantageous to women.
In its programs to improve access to justice , IDLO has always given special priority to women and vulnerable groups. In Kenya, the organization has supported the establishment of free legal aid centers for victims of gender-based violence, where women can seek legal advice, psychological support and accompaniment in legal proceedings. The presence of these centers not only gives victims the opportunity to seek justice, but also contributes to changing social perceptions, affirming that gender-based violence is a violation of the law and not a “private” family matter. In Honduras, IDLO has worked with civil society organizations to build mechanisms to protect victims of human trafficking and sexual violence, especially women and girls in poor communities. These initiatives have contributed to bringing the law closer to those who have been marginalized, giving them more tools to protect their rights.
In its economic and commercial legislation projects , IDLO does not ignore the elements of gender equality and human rights. When supporting countries in developing economic laws, IDLO regularly recommends the elimination of discriminatory provisions and proposes mechanisms to facilitate women's access to economic resources such as land, credit and business opportunities. In many African countries, IDLO has promoted reforms in inheritance and land ownership laws, aiming to give women equal rights with men in owning and using property. This is an important step, because when women have the right to own land and property, they can participate equally in economic activities, thereby improving their status in the family and society. At the same time, IDLO also promotes the development of a transparent commercial dispute resolution mechanism, protecting the rights of workers, most of whom are women working in the informal sector or small businesses.
In times of crisis and conflict , IDLO places even greater emphasis on integrating gender equality and human rights. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the organization has supported many countries in developing their legal response frameworks, paying special attention to ensuring that emergency measures do not violate human rights and that they address the specific needs of women and vulnerable groups. In Afghanistan, during a period of turmoil, IDLO has worked to support the legal system to maintain some basic functions to protect human rights, while providing legal aid programs for women, who are often the most disadvantaged in a context of instability. In Somalia, IDLO has worked with local communities to establish a conciliation mechanism based on customary law, but still incorporating the principle of respecting human rights, ensuring that agreements do not violate the rights of women and children. This is a testament to how this organization combines socio-cultural specificity with international legal standards, to create feasible solutions that still protect human dignity.
In addition to directly implementing projects, IDLO also pays special attention to cooperating with international organizations, civil society and local communities to ensure that the integration of gender equality and human rights does not only come from the top down, but also comes from the needs and voices of the communities themselves. IDLO projects often have the active participation of women's organizations, human rights groups and local NGOs, to ensure that the solutions are appropriate to the specific cultural and social context. As a result, the effectiveness of the projects goes beyond the promulgation of laws or the organization of training, but also creates a profound change in awareness, contributing to the formation of a people-centered culture of the rule of law.
The significance of mainstreaming gender equality and human rights in IDLO’s work is not limited to the scope of a single country, but also has a ripple effect at the regional and global levels. When women and vulnerable groups are guaranteed their rights, societies become more equitable, trust in the law is strengthened, and economies also benefit from fuller participation of the entire population. This is in line with the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions. By consistently integrating these two elements, IDLO has contributed to demonstrating that the rule of law cannot be separated from human rights and gender equality, and conversely, the promotion of human rights and gender equality will not be sustainable without a solid foundation of the rule of law.
In short, the way IDLO integrates gender equality and human rights into its work is a living testament to its people-centered development philosophy. Through clear strategies, concrete projects and transparent monitoring mechanisms, IDLO has translated abstract principles into practical actions, bringing about practical change in the lives of millions of people in developing and transitional countries. This not only enhances the organization’s standing in the international arena, but more importantly, it contributes to promoting a more just, democratic and humane world where the law truly serves people and protects the dignity of all.