Australian Support for Gender Equality and Human Rights

Australia will provide A$70,000 to the Indonesian Centre for Education and Information on Islam and Women’s Rights Issues, Rahima, to implement a project in East Java in 2009-10.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, said the project was selected for funding under the Australian Government’s Human Rights Small Grants Scheme for 2008-09.

“Rahima’s one-year project aims to strengthen the capacity of local Islamic leaders in Jombang, Lamongan, and Kediri to promote gender equality and human rights,” Mr Farmer said.

The small grants are provided to locally based organisations for activities that promote and protect human rights in a direct and tangible way.

Australia will contribute A$1.5 million to projects promoting human rights in 19 countries across the Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

The announcement follows International Human Rights Day on 10 December and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Protection and promotion of human rights enshrined in the Declaration are vital to global efforts to achieve lasting peace and security and freedom for all,” Mr Farmer said.

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