Despite physical limitations due to COVID-19, NDI is continuing to partner with local legislators, political parties and community leaders in Colombia to support full participation and inclusion of women and underrepresented communities. In honor of Pride Month -- a reminder that democracy only works when every voice counts -- we examine ways NDI’s programs bring democracy’s promise to LGBTI Colombians, Afro-Colombians, indigenous populations, people with disabilities, women and more. 

The COVID-19 crisis presents new, unique challenges to politicians. Along with the serious consequences of the disease, public health measures -- such as social distancing and emergency lockdowns --  are limiting the traditional methods for conducting politics . Government officials and political party leaders alike are expanding their efforts toward effective public communication, legislative advocacy, financial oversight, and more. At the same time, many governments are expanding their powers to an unprecedented degree.

"Make Democracy and Governance a Keystone of the US Global Fragility Strategy" by Patrick Quirck and Lauren Van Metre was originally published on Just Security. 

In Libya, child members of ethnic minority groups begin school at a significant disadvantage. While the educational system is almost entirely based in the Arabic language, many ethnic minority families speak only their indigenous languages in the home. Elementary school students find themselves struggling to learn simultaneously, the concepts being conveyed and the language in which they’re being taught,; all in a context divorced from their cultural heritage and identity. 

Across Libya, the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI’s) partners have organized themselves to effectively address the COVID-19 crisis. In conflict-affected settings like Libya, responses from community stakeholders have bolstered and supplemented a limited central response. In Ajdabiya, NDI partner Nesaa Ra'dat (Pioneer Women), a CSO member of the “Not Before 18” campaign against child marriage, has done just that, forming a robust coalition to mobilize community resources to provide key services during this time.

In times of crisis, marginalized communities are often overlooked as governments, under pressure to move quickly to deliver policy responses, neglect the particular social vulnerabilities of these groups. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in Libya, the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI’s) civil society partners from the “Access” campaign have been advocating for inclusive policies to recognize the particular challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs). At the onset of the pandemic, proposed government policies did not incorporate the needs of PWDs.

Disinformation is a global challenge. It’s inflicting damage in many spheres of our lives. Perhaps most alarming is that it’s threatening democracy worldwide. People need access to reliable, authentic information to exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities. Good information is the oxygen of a thriving democracy. It is key to transparent government, and vital for citizens’ ability to hold governments to account.