"Even as the European Union (EU) remains one of the biggest donors, with 60% of all aid coming from it, we see many governments in this region moving to the right, clamping down on civil society. So, even within the EU we find a contradiction. In the south, there is a big gap between legal systems in place and what actually happens. Governments of some countries perceive CSOs as an opposition and often term them as being disloyal for not supporting the government policies that are against the interests of the people (like those supporting local landowners and/or private companies with vested interests)", says Justin.
According to Azra, CSO spaces are shrinking in critical areas like the grassroots movements, while the private sector is flourishing and so are the big CSOs who are flush with money.
"There is no money available for critical sectors like those of migrant workers, landless farmers, fisherfolk/agriculture-worker women, etc. The International Standard for Classification of Occupations specifies that those who have at least primary education - 5 years of schooling - qualify as skilled labour. This immediately excludes most women from the rural sector from being recognised as skilled labour. Thus, millions of women across South Asia are pushed into working long hours for a pittance. In Pakistan, a woman gets 2 and a half kg of wheat as wages for 8-10 hours of backbreaking work of wheat harvesting in the heat of summers. So while they work to bring food to the tables of the rich, they themselves are deprived of it. They need to be recognised as dignified labour and given decent wages commensurate with the work they do. But if we bring the plight of these women to the fore we are branded as those working against government's interests."
The way forward
Justin believes that the way forward is for CSOs to make Istanbul Principles a reality in our lives. It means living these Principles ourselves, and at the same time putting pressure on other development actors - partner and donor governments, philanthropic firms, private sector - to perform in a way so that Agenda 2030 is fulfilled in a transformative way.
For Azra democratic ownership is necessary. And this can be possible only when people can work in an enabling environment. We cannot be accountable to ourselves and to the people if the surrounding environment is not conducive.
Even though we live in difficult times with, as Azra points out, militarisation being high on every government's agenda, Justin calls for CSOs to engage with Agenda 2030 by becoming constructive partners, reaching out to all the development actors, finding common grounds with them, and together work for a better tomorrow.
Shobha Shukla, CNS
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