In order to strengthen democracy and local development, Diakonia’s partners support community based organisations allowing the population to take part in decisions regarding local development.

Transparency, human rights and gender equality

Another central issue is the promotion of transparency and social auditing performed by citizen transparency commissions on public resources.

Among our priority themes are also human rights and gender equality. Partners working for gender equality mainly focus on incrementing women’s participation in politics as well as in social processes, and on efforts to diminish violence against women. 

Women's organizations are vital

The women’s organizations play an important role in advocacy work, demanding correct and efficient application of existing laws. 

Honduras has for many years been struggling with a weak democracy, gender inequality, organized crime and social and environmental vulnerability.

Coup d’état in 2009

In June 2009, the democratically elected President was deposed in a civil and military coup d’état. The profound social and political crisis that characterized the Honduran society both before and after the constitutional order was interrupted, put into evidence that in spite of fulfilling minimum standards of liberal democracy, Honduras cannot be described as a real democracy. 

As a consequence of the crisis, the already fragile respect of human rights deteriorated and social violence increased. Furthermore, the situation of women is even worse than before, with unequal opportunities and daily discrimination, including violence and political exclusion.