DRL Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Promotion of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in the Southeast Asia and Pacific Region

Background
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for programs that bolster women civil society activists and human rights defenders, in all their diversity, as leaders in the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Southeast Asia and Pacific region.

Grant Details
Across the Southeast Asia and Pacific region, the prevalence of poor governance and abuses of fundamental freedoms and human rights, which disproportionately affect women and girls, has increased in tandem with global trends of rising authoritarianism and democratic backsliding.

Discrimination against women in social institutions remains high in Southeast Asia and the Pacific compared with other geographic regions, effectively limiting women’s rights, opportunities, and influence based on their gender.

Women civil society members, human rights defenders (HRDs), activists, and representatives of marginalized populations also continue to face entrenched cultural and structural barriers to equitable access and influence in civic participation and leadership.

Eligibility Requirements
DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses. DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.

Period of Performance
24 – 36 months

Grant Value
$1,500,000 - $3,000,000

Place of Performance
Southeast Asia and Pacific region