THE POWER OF PEOPLE

Experience shows us that when we unite – respecting beliefs, recognizing expertise and sharing resources - lasting change isn’t just possible, it’s unstoppable. You are about to read, watch, listen and learn about a movement of frontline aid workers, vibrant communities, and inspirational activists - and their work to create a radically different world. Together.

JUST ECONOMIES

GENDER JUSTICE

CLIMATE JUSTICE

ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNANCE

HUMANITARIAN ACTION

OUR ORGANIZATION

While a radically different world is within reach, those who are on the frontlines are fighting an uphill battle.

RIGHTS UNDER FIRE

by Adama Coulibaly
Global Programs Director
Oxfam International

Our world is crumbling beneath our feet.

Words can barely express the turmoil many people face today. At its heart is a collective failure of morality and values. Everywhere we look, we see protracted crises multiplying in intensity and scale: conflicts that defy reason, climate emergencies we have never seen before, and democracy, the rule of law and civil liberties being pushed aside to make way for autocracy and unaccountable control.

RIGHTS UNDER FIRE

by Adama Coulibaly
Global Programs Director
Oxfam International

Our world is crumbling beneath our feet.

Words can barely express the turmoil many people face today. At its heart is a collective failure of morality and values. Everywhere we look, we see protracted crises multiplying in intensity and scale: conflicts that defy reason, climate emergencies we have never seen before, and democracy, the rule of law and civil liberties being pushed aside to make way for autocracy and unaccountable control.

The rights and voices of women and minorities – whether racial, ethnic, religious or of gender identity – are under relentless attack.

The gap between the powerful few and the vast majority is widening, with an elite minority accumulating wealth, power and influence at breakneck speed. The hard truth is that most of these crises are human made. So the solutions can and must be human made too.

Oxfam and partners are at the forefront of addressing the deep, complex and systemic roots of inequality. But the pressure on us and our partners is growing.

Governments around the world are passing restrictive laws that stifle the space and the voices of ‘civil society’ – bodies such as charities, voluntary organizations, social enterprises and community organizations, and individuals, targeting feminist movements and rights defenders.

In many of the places in which we work, it is dangerous and sometimes deadly to speak out; over 70% of countries where Oxfam is present are classified as closed or repressed by Civicus Monitor – a research tool that provides data on the state of civic freedoms in 196 countries. Some of our partner organizations have been labeled 'foreign agents'; others have been ordered to close their doors, and those who continue to work walk a tightrope under state surveillance.

For courageous individuals fighting for human rights, the stakes are even higher. They live with threats, forced exile or – or pay with their lives.

In the face of these challenges, Oxfam's mission to fight inequality to end poverty and injustice has never been more critical. We believe in the power of people – standing together, fighting for rights and supporting each other. Working with feminist movements, activists and communities, we are working to dismantle unjust systems that benefit the few at the expense of the many.

In 2023–24, our efforts ranged from supporting local action in communities to advocating at global summits for policies that protect and promote the rights and voices of people most at risk. We worked with partners in the Philippines to push for policy changes that recognize unpaid care work, and we supported youth-led environmental advocacy in Latin America. These are just some of the ways in which we continue to fight alongside those who need it most.

And we are not stopping.

As we move forward, Oxfam is more determined than ever to build and strengthen alliances, challenge the status quo, speak truth to power and drive systemic change. We believe in an equal future, where justice and humanity are not ideals but realities. Together, we can make it happen – but we need to fight for it.

And we are not stopping.

As we move forward, Oxfam is more determined than ever to build and strengthen alliances, challenge the status quo, speak truth to power and drive systemic change. We believe in an equal future, where justice and humanity are not ideals but realities. Together, we can make it happen – but we need to fight for it.

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

In closing civic spaces across the world, where rights are being ignored or curtailed, people are defending, claiming and protecting those rights.

As Oxfam, we support all people facing discrimination and abuse – women, men, non-binary, Indigenous and racialized people, and others – as they fight to preserve space for their communities to have a say in their futures. For some, the fight comes at a very heavy price.

SIGNS OF CHANGE

In our worldwide work, we are witnessing increasing pressure and growing threats to rights defenders and activists. The chilling effect is that people are discouraged or prevented from speaking out against injustice.

However, there are sparks of light in the darkness.

Over the last year, Oxfam has worked with brilliant and dedicated rights defenders to push the boundaries of civic space and protect those who speak up for their rights. There are signs that in some places, efforts are starting to pay off.

Honduras

Public policies that aimed at controlling NGOs in Honduras have been stopped. With allies, Oxfam lobbied against Decree 93-2021, which reinforced control over NGOs. As a result of public pressure, the Decree was reformed and the effort to control NGOs was declared unconstitutional.

Ghana

Following engagements led by the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa – and working with the West Africa Youth Alliance, Campaign for Human Rights and Development International – the Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States has committed to establishing a Youth Parliament. This will provide a platform for young people to engage and contribute to decisions of the regional body in ways that address their needs and aspirations.

Nigeria

Together with our partners, we managed to influence the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to establish a civil society organization liaison desk. This is a milestone for Nigeria; the oil and gas sector have had issues of opacity and exclusion in operations of both government representatives and companies.

Peru

In Peru, environmental and land defenders faced threats to their lives and integrity as a result of increasing violence in the Amazon rainforest. Twelve land defenders and their families were supported through protection activities that included successful evacuation, humanitarian aid and legal advice.

El Salvador

In El Salvador, 529 Indigenous women and young people have been trained to gain a stronger sense of ownership and self-recognition as rights and environmental defenders in their communities. In addition to the self-recognition and empowerment of women and young people, the training has strengthened advocacy and campaigning work, enabling it to reach over 150,000 people on climate-related issues.

Niger

In Niger, women and youth leaders from four communes in Tahoua and Maradi gained access to commune meetings and started to interact with public officials, successfully claiming access to public infrastructure and challenging male-dominated decision-making practices on the use of public resources.

Chad

In Chad, Oxfam has worked to incorporate over 300 civil society organizations (CSOs) directly in the negotiations around a new national land rights policy. CSO pressure succeeded in influencing the policy, to include recognition of customary rights and community land, which will secure a better life for millions of people in Chad.

Belgium

In July 2023, leaders from the Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) met in Brussels in this review for the first time in almost a decade. Oxfam was able to influence the process so that civil society organizations had a seat at the table, ensuring that the EU–CELAC summit was responsive to the needs and rights of all people in both regions. Together, the group was able to put inequality front and center on the meeting agenda.

Map of Honduras: Decree 93-2021 reformed

Map of Peru: 12 land defenders and their famillies supported

Map of El Salvador: 529 indigenous women and young people trained

Map of Niger, showing regions of Tahoua and Maradi

Map of Belgium, with Brussels highlighted