The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls on governments to ensure equal access to justice for all—recognizing that justice is essential for inclusive development.
But how can we ensure that everyone—regardless of wealth or social status—can get access to the protection of the law?
As part of the global effort to support the implementation of Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda (building peaceful and inclusive societies), the Open Society Foundations are supporting efforts to institutionalize nationwide community-based justice services in 11 countries: Indonesia, Kenya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Ukraine, and the United States.
This series of fact sheets provides basic information on a range of different approaches to the provision of primary legal services around the world.
The approaches vary, but the aim is the same: to ensure that everyone can use the law themselves to find concrete solutions to their day-to-day justice problems.
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Community Justice: Indonesia (82.81 Kb pdf file)
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Community Justice: Ontario (81.77 Kb pdf file)
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Community Justice: Sierra Leone (81.19 Kb pdf file)
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Community Justice: Moldova (68.8 Kb pdf file)
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Community Justice: South Africa (82.49 Kb pdf file)
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Community Justice: Ukraine (68.36 Kb pdf file)
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Power to the People
How the Law Can Empower Victims of COVID-19
![A woman discusses her citizenship status with a paralegal activist, in Kanchanpur District, Nepal, on August 4, 2018. Photo credit: © Kishor Sharma/Majority World for the Open Society Foundations Two women speaking outside a house](https://opensocietyfoundations.imgix.net/uploads/0e332123-10a3-4f2c-8f4a-0cbb681e84d4/20180804-sharma-nepal-idenitity-201-3000.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=min&fm=jpg&h=200&q=80&rect=0%2C125%2C3000%2C1875)
Through legal empowerment and community-based justice initiatives, the very same people who are suffering the most from the pandemic can be given the tools they need to fight for justice and defend their rights.
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.