Democracy and Human Rights Fund II
Current DHRF Projects 2005/2006
The United States Government awarded seven grants to Malagasy NGOs in Fiscal Year 2005, to promote democracy and fundamental human rights. The grants, which total $60,400 are funded through the Democracy and Human Rights Fund II (DHRF II). The seven NGOs chosen to receive grants will carry out programs designed to increase support for democratic practices and respect for human rights throughout the country.
"The Democracy and Human Rights Fund " provides grants to NGOs in African countries to support democratic institutions, promote political pluralism, or advocate human rights. Among others, the DHRF II program in Madagascar has provided financial support for the realization of projects related to children’s rights, prisoners’ rights, the electoral process, and civic education. NGOs receiving 2005 grants will undertake projects such as workshops, training and other related activities on the rights of the physically handicapped, women and child rights relating to sexual tourism, and the training and distribution of materials on human rights. Emphasis is placed on the non-partisan implementation of projects and their capacity to actively involve ordinary citizens in the promotion and defense of their rights. The following organizations received funding in 2005 and are currently carrying out the goals of their respective projects.
- Region: Fort Dauphin/Tulear $16,000
Funds will be used to create seminars and research opportunities to investigate linkages between women’s rights, good governance and sound environmental management. This program will integrate academic knowledge of governance and women’s rights with practical applications in the Anosy and Antandroy regions, and particularly how they effect natural resource management. - Region: Vangaindrano/Morondava $7,000
Grantee will organize activities for children stressing rights of each child to realize his potential. Through music, art and a series of talks, the children will receive information and motivation on how they can take advantage of their rights. The activities will take place in four locations: Manakara, Farafangana, Vangaindrano and Morondava. These areas are especially lacking in programs for children’s rights. - Region: Ambalavao (Fianarantsoa) $7,000
This project seeks to accomplish three main goals: 1) to raise the issue of domestic violence in the consciousness of the community to break through the silence, 2) to provide resources and trainings for the people of Ambalavao to learn healthy non-violent means of conflict resolution and 3) to educate men on responsible parenting and both women and men on their rights in the home. - Region: Antsirabe $7,000
A series of training and information sessions will focus on the villagers in the Vakinankaratra countryside and the laws and human rights issues that directly affect their lives. - Region: Antananarivo $6,000
The goal of this project is to raise awareness of the abuse of women and children and to educate the public on the laws regarding abuse. In addition, the Malagasy NGO Life Giving Water will provide information sessions in the most violent areas in the city and create a hotline for victims of abuse. - Region: Ambanja $4,400
In the region of Ambanja, the Association GPPAS (Groupement des Pêcheurs et Producteurs Agricoles de Sambirano) will create groups of women to facilitate the spread of information concerning the rights of women and children. GPPAS will also work with local radio stations to broadcast messages on this topic. Finally, the association will aid in the education and training of women to help them transition back into society. - Region: Antananarivo $13,000
Empowerment Advocates International, a U.S. based NGO, will conduct a series of ten seminars in villages surrounding Antananarivo concentrating on poverty reduction. These seminars will focus on the mindset of poverty, its negative consequences, as well as how to overcome that mindset.