What we do

Despite many obstacles, Hivos’ partners played important roles in ensuring that the Syrian Constitutional Committee – established under UN auspices to form a new and democratic constitution in Syria – is inclusive of women. “We can’t talk about human rights and add women’s rights later.”

Voices of rights-holders

We celebrate the diverse voices and rightsholders who were agents of change pushing for gender inclusion in renewable energy, transparency in the extractives sector, dignified work for women in the horticultural sector, and healthy and affordable diets for low-income populations.

Open contracting in the province of South Cotabato

John Magbanua has been working in the provincial government of South Cotabato (Philippines) for 25 years. For 19 of those, he sat on the Bids and Awards Committee, which he thought was doing a good job.

Frustrations lead to new beginnings

“It was clear to me that there was a need for such an institution in Tanzania,” says Ludovick Utouh, founder of WAJIBU – Institute of Public Accountability. Amongst others, WAJIBU informs and mobilizes public opinion about accountability in the collection and use of public resources by duty bearers and elected officials. 

Relying on the school meal program in Bolivia

“How can I help these children get better and healthier food?” Estefanía Rada remembers asking herself this back when she was working as a volunteer teacher at local schools in La Paz, Bolivia. The children in her classes, aged 7 to 10, would eat breakfast at school, thanks to the government’s school meal program.

This is a glimpse into a prejudiced, rural, and non-inclusive Nicaragua which is at the same time diverse, courageous, and resilient. LGBTIQ activist Jacob Ellis tells us the story of Yasuri Potoy Ortiz, a young trans woman.

We spoke to Mendi Njonjo, Hivos East Africa’s regional director, about the fight against fraud and corruption and recent signs of hope. “Corruption destroys the social contract between citizens and the state,” Mendi says without mincing words.

Despite the Zambian government’s intention to diversify agriculture, the country is still heavily reliant on a narrow range of crops. Over time, knowledge about how to grow and prepare local foods has been lost. Hivos partner, the Zambian Alliance of Women, has created a women-centered movement focusing on bringing diversity back to the farm and the plate.

The uphill battle for musicians in East Africa

As a form of free expression, music has unlimited scope for communicating joy, sorrow or hope. Music tells the story of the human condition through sound.

To honor the fall of Vicky and Bessy and the tens of LGBT people murdered every year in Honduras, we bring our colors out with pride to celebrate diversity and fight for our rights. We realize our fight will not end here, but together with brave people like Osman and Kory we are one step closer.