Region: Middle East & North Africa
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Grave concern over human rights violations in Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel
Hivos expresses our very deep concern over the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. The latest outbreak of hostilities was triggered by efforts to forcibly displace Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem. While Hivos does not have program and operational presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,…
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Why gendered constitution-making is important for Syria
Together with partners, we empowered Syrian women activists to enhance women’s participation in the constitutional and transitional processes in Syria.
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Hivos’ GreenWorks journey kicks off
Hivos’ new GreenWorks program aims to mitigate the impact of climate change through job creation and economic empowerment across North Africa.
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On the frontlines in Beirut
A week after Beirut and its population were hit by massive explosions at a warehouse at the city’s port on August 4, everyone is still trying to come to terms with the scale and impact of the disaster. The explosions damaged large parts of the city, killing more than 200 people, injuring over 6,000, and…
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Covid-19: An unprecedented moment in an unprecedented time
2020 will go down in history as the year that put a hold on daily life around the globe. We have an opportunity to make sure it will also be remembered as the year in which the fight for more inclusive, transparent and green societies gained a new and inspired push. The actions that we…
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A heart-wrenching letter from one of our Syrian partners
“After surviving the horrors of war for nine years, all that time fighting for peace, human rights, and democracy for the Syrian people, it is this pandemic that frightens me the most.” These are the words of Rajaa Altalli, a Syrian women’s rights activist, and co-founder and co-director of Hivos partner the Center for Civil…
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Women and the road to peace and security in Syria
The estimates depend on whom you ask, but one thing is certain. Since the start of the Syrian war in 2011, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been killed and wounded. Millions more have had to leave everything behind, including family, in search of safety. As international power blocks fight to secure their own interests…
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Hivos-supported Little Reed highlighted during donor visit
Little Reed Farmhouse, a company supported by Hivos’ ARC program, was highlighted during a donor field visit. A perfect moment for Elissa Cortas, owner of Little Reed, to present her company and introduce the women cooks that have come to play such an important role in the community. The ARC (Addressing Root Causes) program is…
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Social entrepreneurship in the Nile Delta
Helping Egyptian youth turn their passion into income “Every time I hear ‘If you left Tanta you’d have a much better life,’ I refuse. Why do we have to live in Cairo – or even abroad – to earn a decent living? I want the same opportunities for more disadvantaged places like my town.”
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The way forward for Syrian women
How Hivos is helping them in their battle for peace, rights, and inclusion Last July, I attended a conference on women’s rights in Syria organized by Hivos and its partners. To some it may sound strange to focus on women’s rights in a country being torn apart by a civil war. Because if you ask…
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Three women fighting for a better life for the Yazidi community
Dare to dream Even though ISIS’ army has now been defeated, hundreds of Yazidi women are still in temporary relief camps in northern Iraq. “I want to share my story with the rest of the world, because everyone should know what happened to us. I am not just a victim. I am a mother who…
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Helping Lebanese lawyers defend LGBTI+ people in court
Decoding Lebanese legalese Our work takes us to Lebanon, where inspiring partners like SEEDS continue to fight for sexual and bodily rights despite conservative forces. “In a country where police regularly stage raids on LGBTI+ events, SEEDS is a much-needed legal initiative.”