Projects abroad for professionals: 5 countries in need of human rights volunteers

Traveling abroad is not limited to only for leisure vacation, we could also travel to work voluntarily abroad to a country in need of our helps. Read on this guest post to find out more on the opportunities…

Human rights is currently emerging as an employment sector in its own right; however, as of yet, there are few clear entry points and career paths. One of the best ways to begin a career in human rights is to volunteer your services in projects abroad through a regulated scheme.

There are a huge variety of roles available, including legal, research, marketing and administration. Here are some countries in need of human rights volunteers urgently, and ways in which you can help.

Cambodia

In Cambodia housing rights violations plague the country, with thousands of families being forcibly evicted from their homes every day. Evictions and confiscation of land rank as Cambodia’s most pervasive human rights issues to date.

Human rights volunteers are needed in Cambodia to work with non-governmental organisations to promote the right to adequate housing and end the practice of forced evictions. As a volunteer in this capacity, you could provide administrative support, carry out legal research and draft statements and press releases regarding existing laws.

By volunteering in a country with a different legal system, you’ll be able to adapt and develop your existing knowledge to a different environment and help to end violations that hugely affect families living in poverty.

Ghana

Despite a peaceful transition of government power in the 2008 election, human rights violations are still rife in Ghana, with legal volunteers needed urgently to help. Issues investigated on a daily basis include child trafficking and the treatment of illegal immigrants.

Volunteering in Ghana may include travel to rural areas to communicate with many different social groups. This will help lawyers on a career break to improve their existing skills by working in a challenging environment.

South Africa

With a history of discrimination and segregation, South Africa was seen to have turned a corner after the end of Apartheid in 1994. However, many people living in South Africa still suffer poverty and there are still many issues to be addressed.

As a volunteer lawyer you can lend support by preparing cases for the South African Equality Court, dealing with issues such as immigration or domestic violence, and meeting with local MPs to voice community concerns.

By volunteering in South Africa, qualified lawyers and law graduates can gain an understanding of legal services in the developing world. You can also make a difference by contributing to the development of South African human rights.

Tanzania

Customary and Islamic laws in Tanzania limit women’s inheritance rights, with the majority of financial legacies being given to men. This can leave women with nowhere to live and totally dependent on men for survival. Widespread problems of property-grabbing and evictions stemming from witchcraft accusations leads to an urgent need for a reform of inheritance right laws in Tanzania.

Professional lawyers and law graduates can help by providing legal assistance for women who have suffered injustice and educating leaders about inheritance laws. This will help to put an end to the current unjust legal system and promote rights for women.

Togo

After the state repression following the illegal installation of Togo’s current president in 2005, human rights issues gained sharp focus across the country. Legal volunteers are now required to help with education, awareness campaigns, monitoring prison conditions and keeping the legal system transparent.

Legal volunteers will face challenges not experienced in western countries and gain valuable experience providing help and support where it’s truly needed.

For anyone looking to lend their support by volunteering abroad, www.projects-abroad-pro.org has plenty of information available. Professional volunteering opportunities in human rights offer valuable ways for individuals with a background in law to help developing countries provide fairer systems for all. 🙂 – Travel Feeder, your ultimate travel photo blog

About The Author

Cecil Lee

The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.