Democracy And Human Rights Fund (Dhrf)

                              U.S. EMBASSY BANJUL
                                     Press Release

For Immediate Release                                           8 January 2008

                      DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS FUND (DHRF)

The United States Embassy in The Gambia uses the Democracy and Human Rights Fund (DHRF) to provide assistance through grants to indigenous civil society organizations or Community Based Organizations (CBOs) that will implement small, short-term, highly targeted activities designed to show measurable results with an emphasis on change in support of human rights and democratic institutions. This year the program will award a total of U.S. $40,000.00 to four organizations. The fourth grant will be announced soon. Three grants were recently announced:
1. FOUNDATION FOR LEGAL AID, RESEARCH AND EMPOWERMENT (FLARE) 
Project title: Civic Education for Empowerment and Good Governance in The Gambia. 
Objectives: To raise the level of awareness of Gambians on the 1997 Constitution and related political, economic and social laws and policies as well as their civic rights and duties for the purpose of empowering citizens to determine their destiny and ensure good governance practices in the administration of the country. 
Activities: Radio Talk shows, production of IEC Materials, Public lectures and celebration of Human Rights Day.
2. AFRICAN CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS STUDIES (ACDHRS) 
Project title: Empowering women and men through knowledge and use of human rights instruments.
Objectives: To create an informed society that would be in a position to constructively influence positive change in existing government policies and initiate new strategies to address the problem of inequality and discrimination among women in The Gambia. 
Activities: Sensitization training of 30 National Assembly members on policies issues affecting women so that NAMs can lobby for strategies that would empower women and help influence government’s decisions on women’s development. Also provide training for 20 lawyers and legal practitioners on the use of human rights instruments.
3. CHILD PROTECTION ALLIANCE 
Project title: Towards empowering children for effective participation in child rights and protection in The Gambia. 
Objectives: To sensitize and raise awareness amongst the general public on childe sexual abuse and exploitation in The Gambia to ensure that children are protected by the communities and professionals. 
Activities: Conduct two training programs for the young: Training on Advocacy Skills for members of the Voice of the Young and training on Public Speaking and Presentation Skills also targeting Voice of the Young.
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