For millions of people around the world, human rights violations are part and parcel of everyday life. Sexual violence, discrimination in housing, unwarranted dismissal from employment, unfair evictions, denial of child support, and police harassment are only a few such violations.
These have a particularly harsh impact on people whose health is compromised, and on people society often excludes—like sex workers, people who use drugs, patients nearing death, Roma, and people living with HIV.
This report shows the potential to transform this dynamic, profiling 11 access to justice projects based in Indonesia, Kenya, Macedonia, Russia, South Africa, and Uganda. These projects use a range of approaches to make the law meaningful for marginalized people and to improve their health.
Whether through medical and legal partnerships, peer paralegals, or web-based consultations—see what’s possible when people become empowered to claim their rights and their health.
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Bringing Justice to Health: The Impact of Legal Empowerment Projects on Public Health (2.59 Mb pdf file)
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Voices
Justice on Wheels
![UGANET paralegal William Mulindwa visits the community of Gayaza. Traveling by bicycle, he educates communities living with HIV about their rights and the free legal services available through UGANET. Photo credit: © Sven Torfinn/Panos Pictures for the Open Society Foundations A man standing next to bicycle](https://opensocietyfoundations.imgix.net/uploads/ba3ff7cf-7eea-435d-bcad-d039390fdea5/20130626-torfinn-lahi-uganet-hiv-001.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=200&q=80&rect=%2C%2C%2C)
Traveling by bicycle, paralegals help Ugandans living with HIV in their own communities understand and assert their rights and, in the process, safeguard their health.
Voices
Injustice Is Bad for Your Health
![Nyeri Hospice provides care to patients with life-limiting illnesses like cancer and HIV/AIDS, as well as legal advice for writing wills and dealing with inheritance issues. Photo credit: Sven Torfinn for the Open Society Foundations Two women beside a truck](https://opensocietyfoundations.imgix.net/uploads/d1aa3280-9417-4754-a480-ff8e3ef72656/20130514-torfinn-kenya-nyeri-4000-770sf.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=200&q=80&rect=%2C%2C%2C)
Violations of rights pose a fundamental threat to people’s health and well-being. Thankfully, programs that improve people’s access to justice can help.
Voices
Five Legal Strategies that Preserve the Rights of Women Living with HIV
![UGANET paralegal William Mulindwa speaks with women in the town of Gayaza Uganda about their rights and free legal services available through the organization. Legal empowerment programs like this are among several key legal strategies across the world that promote justice for women living with HIV. Photo credit: © Sven Torfinn/Panos Pictures for the Open Society Foundations Man speaking to women](https://opensocietyfoundations.imgix.net/uploads/513e418b-a231-4d82-a790-a1931f97d86a/20141020-torfinn-uganet-1350.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=200&q=80&rect=%2C%2C%2C)
Women living with HIV can easily lose their homes and property. The resulting hardship can keep them from treatment, and dependent in relationships. But these legal strategies can help protect their rights and their health.