Empowerment, Inclusion, Equality: Accelerating sustainable development with human rights With the most pivotal decade of SDG implementation ahead of us, the 2019 HLPF theme of Empowerment, Inclusion and Equality is a reminder that the transformational promise of the 2030 Agenda can only be achieved with the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights. When people can exercise their human rights, they can stand up for themselves and for each other, they are empowered to shape the decisions that impact their lives. Human rights stand for equality, for participatory and inclusive societies that dismantle the structures of discrimination which drive poverty and inequality. When everyone can claim their human rights, no one can be left behind. Human rights are not only the right way, but the smart way to accelerate progress for more equitable and sustainable development. In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable The promotion and protection of human rights is Development , governments around the world about empowering people to stand up for committed to a blueprint for a more just and themselves and for each other, for equality, and sustainable path for people, planet and for inclusive societies. This is how the power of prosperity, with 17 Sustainable Development human rights can foster and accelerate a Goals (SDGs) that “seek to realize the human transformative development agenda. rights of all”.1 When we think of struggles for empowerment, As we enter the most pivotal decade for SDG inclusion and equality we think of heroes who implementation, the theme ‘Empowering People have fought for their rights: luminary individuals and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality’ of the like Mahatma Gandhi, Rosa Parks, Malala 2019 High-level Political Forum for sustainable Yousufzai or Marielle Franco. They stood up for development (HLPF) couldn’t be more timely. the rights of marginalized peoples, for the rights of the excluded voices who suffered in silence Amongst the calls for more resources, more and whose dignity was not respected. Out of political will, more tools, technology and faster these movements the message for justice and implementation, it is a reminder that equitable human rights continues to spread across the and sustainable development must be achieved world: ‘Yes, every human being matters, with and not for people. Achieving the everyone is born equal in dignity and rights. transformational promise of the SDGs depends on ensuring the empowerment, inclusion and Human rights matter because they embody the equality of all people, which is so closely power of people standing up to change the interconnected with human rights. world. Above all this is what the 2030 Agenda needs to accelerate its course. 1https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformi ngourworld Empowerment, Inclusion, Equality: Accelerating sustainable development with human rights The SDGs already mirror much of the human At the 2019 High-Level Political Forum, rights framework. Each sustainable governments will review progress in achieving development goal, whether aimed at eradicating empowerment, inclusion and equality for all. hunger, preventing disease, providing clean They will assess progress in achieving the SDGs water or climate action, or focused on securing that are dedicated to these objectives; goals on peace or decent work – all are simultaneously a ending discrimination and combating inequality claim about human rights. (SDG 10), strengthening democratic governance, inclusive participation, global partnerships, rule Development is not just about changing the of law, access to justice and personal security material conditions that prevent a person from (SDG 16) and creating an enabling international reaching these goals. It is also about environment (SDG 17). The review will also empowering people with voice and agency to be focus on ways in which the theme relates to active participants in designing their own goals for more inclusive quality education (SDG solutions and shaping development policy. It is 4), decent work for all (SDG 8) and equitable about transforming laws, policy, practice, social climate action (SDG 13). norms and power relations such that everyone can flourish in equal dignity and freedom. While significant progress has been made, there remain many gaps. As we approach the next This is recognized in the 2030 Agenda crucial decade of SDG implementation, commitment to create “a world of universal governments are under pressure to accelerate respect for equality and non-discrimination”, by their efforts significantly. ensuring “targets [are] met for all nationals and peoples and for all segments of society” and that ‘development can be a powerful tool, but it can the “SDGs realize human rights for all”. At its also be a tool of the powerful unless fundamental heart, the Agenda 2030 promise of ‘leaving no rights are part of its design’ one behind’ is a reaffirmation that human rights and sustainable development are mutually With limited time and resources, it is crucial to reinforcing. focus on securing rights for all, as not only the right way, but the smart way to achieve more Development is a powerful tool, but it can also sustainable development. A people-centered, be a tool of the powerful unless human rights for inclusive and equitable approach requires its all, without discrimination, is part of its design. own investment of time, political will and resources. The returns however will be far reaching for unlocking the transformative ’With limited time and resources, it is crucial to potential of all other social, economic and focus on securing rights for all, as not only the environmental commitments in the 2030 right way, but the smart way to achieve more Agenda. sustainable development.’ As governments make pledges toward acceleration, they can consider how human Human rights can help to guide and navigate rights can guide SDG implementation to achieve tough choices, resolve social conflict, prevent deeper, more transformative results. This backsliding, provide for progressive realization pamphlet describes how the principles of human and build resilience in a world that otherwise rights set the standards for what it means to risks remaining unequal, unstable and truly empower people and address the unsustainable. discrimination at the root of inequality and exclusion. p.2 Empowerment, Inclusion, Equality: Accelerating sustainable development with human rights People are empowered when they can claim Empowerment requires securing civil and their human rights political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights. People living in poverty, who face Empowering people means moving beyond obstacles ranging from hunger and illiteracy, to purely technocratic solutions and treating lack of transportation to communication people as passive objects of aid or charity. barriers, may face barriers in fully exercising People are empowered when they are able to their power. Women living in poverty are often claim their rights and to shape the decisions, the furthest removed from public life, access to policies, rules and conditions that affect their information and participation by their burden of lives. domestic responsibilities, restrictions on mobility and access to economic resources, as An approach to development that is grounded in well as by discriminatory norms. Empowerment human rights treats everyone as agents of their means recognizing and addressing these own development. This is why the right to obstacles, investing in all people to build the development requires “free, active and knowledge and skills that enables them to act as meaningful participation in development”. agents of their own development. This principle of working with and not just for the From a global perspective, people living in people is reflected across all the SDGs in developing countries can also be “left behind”, different ways. It is reflected in the SDG targets due to geography, conflict or climate crises, so it to empower people, especially women and girls, is also critical to create fair terms and conditions as a means to SDG achievement. It is reflected for all countries and equal participation in global in targets that support people’s ability to claim governance. Specific challenges faced by African and exercise their rights and to allow for checks countries, least developed countries, landlocked on power: such as the fundamental freedoms to developing countries, small island developing dissent, express opinions without fear; access states and countries in conflict/post-conflict information; have a legal identity; organize; need to be recognized in pursuing sustainable participate in economic, social and political development. Agreements on international decisions and access justice. It is also reflected trade, aid, investment and finance should avoid in the targets on universal access to education, creating rules or conditions that favor the health, water, food and equal opportunities. development of some over others. Empowering human rights defenders in Kenya’s informal settlements. “Once people have power and rights, they can deal with all the other pressing issues...When you are not assured of the right to life, nothing else matters.” These are the words of a young Kenyan activist and member of the Mathare Social Justice Centre. With more than 30 volunteers the Centre works to support human rights defenders in informal settlements on a range of issues from political accountability to reproductive rights and forced