MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
McMullan
The Australian Government will provide grants to community groups, non-government organisations and national human rights institutions in developing countries to help promote and protect human rights.
This financial support will help these local organisations turn their visions of a more just society into reality.
Through our support for grass-roots initiatives we will help people realise their human rights and enhance understanding of international human rights norms, such as gender equality, freedom of expression and the rights of children and people with disabilities.
Promoting human rights in developing countries by encouraging a strong civil society is a high priority for the Australian Government.
Among the current grants, Australia will provide funding for a Pacific initiative to promote human rights in peace building and resolving community disputes.
We will also support work in Papua New Guinea to increase awareness of domestic and sexual violence and improve assistance for victims.
Australia will assist local organisations in Vietnam to combat the trafficking of women and children and support a non-government organisation in Egypt to help underprivileged women in squatter areas access their basic legal entitlements.
We will provide more than $1.1 million to support these and other projects through the Human Rights Small Grants Scheme. The projects will complement the development assistance work of Australia's aid program and give tangible support to Australia's international human rights efforts.
Media Contact: Sabina Curatolo (Mr McMullan's Office) 0400 318 205
AusAID Public Affairs 0417 680 590