Due to climate change and activities by the state and multinational corporations in the extractive and biodiversity sector, there is current evidence at local, national, regional land international level that people are threatened to lose livelihoods, to be displaced, to experience exclusion/ deprivation of access to water, land and natural resources resulting in increasing hunger and poverty. There is increasing recognition of the role of human rights to address these critical issues. Through research, capacity building and advocacy the CBES Unit works with stakeholders to: interrogate and project the voices of rights holders and victims on sustainable use of natural resources; examine the impacts of climate change and climate change measures on human rights; clarify legal issues in the area of state and business responsibilities, sustainability, climate adaptation, mitigation, technology transfer and financing; provide input at policy formulation and implementation fora on ways in which human rights principles can contribute to improvement in the climate and extractive sectors.
Gender-based violence remains one of the biggest scourges in the society. Women and gender nonconforming people live in fear of being victims and survivors of GBV. Women, girls, gender nonconforming people and other marginalised communities are at higher risk of violence which occurs in a wide range of spaces including workplace, educational settings and in a variety of familial and domestic relationships. Through research, capacity building and advocacy the GBV Unit works with stakeholders to formulate, design and implement evidence-based solutions to prevent and address gender-based violence.
People living in vulnerable conditions include persons and groups who face systemic exclusion, deprivation of rights, and discrimination based on situations including their age, indigeneity, disability, race, ethnicity, gender, income level, religion, caste or creed, gender identity, sexual orientation, migratory status, statelessness, incarceration, chronic health, and people who are exposed to natural disaster and human made disasters including climate change. Through research, capacity building and advocacy the PLVC Unit works with stakeholders to generate evidence-based findings, expand the space for their participation, and advance solutions and changes that will improve or empower people out of vulnerable situations.
Deficit of good governance, development, a human rights culture and sustained civic engagement is a huge challenge across Africa. This is in spite of institutional and normative standards that are evolving on these important themes at national, regional and international levels. While structures are important, an effective participation and implementation of standards is key in ensuring good governance, durable development and active engagement of the public. Through research, capacity building and advocacy the DRCE Unit works with stakeholders to promote national, regional and international standard setting instruments relating to good governance, development and human rights advancement. It carries out research, capacity building, promotion, awareness raising, technical assistance, co-organisation of national, continental and international events and other advocacy measures on key instruments including Agenda 2063, UNSDGs, and other development and human rights instruments emanating from subregional, regional and multilateral grouping. It does the foregoing with the purpose of fostering social justice and active civic participation