What we do
Human Dignity is an independent, non-profit and non-governmental organisation created in January 2014. We work to advance economic, social and cultural rights in Sub-Saharan Africa.
We are based in Paris. Since 2017, we hold The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Special Consultative Status.
Human Dignity works towards the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights in Sub-Saharan Africa as a way of positively impacting peoples’ lives. In particular we aim to achieve the full implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR).
Since 2014, we have contributed to the promotion and realization of economic, social and cultural rights in 16 countries including Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, DRC, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Uganda, Senegal and Togo.
Economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) are still poorly understood and rarely implemented in many States despite their being party to international treaties related to ESCR. Some States often cite the lack of resources to postpone actions and measures to progressively realise ESCR while national NGOs cite lack of expertise to monitor those rights. It is in this context that Human Dignity acts.
To address some of the many global challenges impacting the enjoyment of ESCR by African populations, our organisation has decided to focus on specific rights for the next five years.
From 2021 to 2025, Human Dignity will focus its work on the rights to health and water to address the gaps in their delivery to populations, including to women and girls and during crises.
Our mission is articulated around five strategic goals in particular in the priority areas identified by the organisation:
- Monitoring and assessing the realisation of ESCR at national levels
- Building the capacity of a cross-section of actors on the realisation of ESCR : NGOs, State agents and national institutions promoting human rights
- Building political will to foster the implementation of ESCR by strategically advocating for their realisation at the national, regional and international levels
- Raising awareness on ESCR in partnership with national CSO networks to empower people so they can hold States accountable
- Strengthening regional and international human rights mechanisms' work on ESCR
These activities systematically take into account the principle of non-discrimination in the enjoyment of ESCR and, in particular, the equal right of men and women to the full enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights.
Access our 2021-2025 strategic plan here.