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A look around the world at the latest rule of law events in April Mubarak retrial to commence 13 April

With the country’s hopes pinned upon presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for July, the arrest of prominent human rights lawyer and activist Beatrice Mtetwa the day of a sweeping referendum on a new constitution has Zimbabwe’s promising present looking more and more like Robert Mugabe ten years ago.

The Justice Rising Blog aims to highlight grassroots projects that are striving to advance the rule of law. If you would like to highlight your project or organization, send us an email at [email protected]! Name Of Organization: East-West Management Institute, funded by USAID Project Title:  Program on Rights and Justice in Cambodia II (PRAJ II) Project Location:  Cambodia

In September 2000, world leaders unanimously adopted the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a series of specific targets for poverty eradication, universal primary school enrollment, gender equality, reduction in child and maternal mortality, combating major disease and ensuring environmental sustainability. The MDGs galvanized developing countries and their international partners to take concrete and tangible steps towards achieving these targets, with some remarkable progress along the way.

On March 12-14, 2013, the World Justice Project, in partnership with the Malawian organization Citizens for Justice (CFJ), brought together a variety of stakeholders from across the country to discuss the findings of the WJP Rule of Law Index and address rule of law shortcomings in Malawi.

The Justice Rising Blog aims to highlight grassroots projects that are striving to advance the rule of law. If you would like to highlight your project or organization, send us an email at [email protected]! Name of Organization: East-West Management Institute, in partnership with Prison Fellowships Liberia, funded by USAID Project Title: Community and Detainee Reconciliation in Liberian Localities (C-DRILL)

Studies indicate that on average a 10% increase in female school participation corresponds to a 3% increase in a country’s GDP.  Moreover, countries that have equal access to land ownership for men and women tend to experience a 10% increase in crop yields. Targeting women and girls for education, employment, and health care can have a transformative impact – a multiplier effect on the well being and productivity of families, communities and societies in general.

Social Media has had the biggest impact on creating awareness on women's rights and empowerment. The WJP looks at Youtube's most sensational videos that highlight women of all ages, background and professions who are making a difference in the lives of millions of people today.  Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

This year for International Women's Day, Boticca is celebrating with a special collaboration with Women for Women International, an organization that helps women in war-torn countries develop the skills they need to provide for themselves and their families. Five of Boticca's independent designers created exclusive pieces to raise money for this wonderful cause- all profits will go straight to Women for Women. Each designer has created an item that reflects the strength and character of women in the world today.

As we continue to celebrate the social, political, and economic progress made by women all around the world, as well as acknowledge the remaining challenges, take a look at an organization working to level the playing field for women - both literally and metaphorically.

“We have given dignity to the children of Adam.” -The Noble Qur’an, 17:70

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future. Mrs. Indra Nooyi, Honorary Chair of the World Justice Project and Chairman and CEO of Pepsico, Inc., embodies the spirit of women entrepreneurs working to instill fundamental rights into the core operations of multinational corporations.

A look around the world on latest rule of law events in March

On March 4, 2013 Kenyans will go to the polls to elect their 4th president. Incumbent president, Mwai Kibaki, is term-limited and will not be on the ballot. The contest will be between two main political coalitions, The Jubilee Alliance and The Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD). Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Prime Minister Raila Odinga head the two alliances, respectively.

On February 24th and 25th Italian parliamentary elections will be held. The electoral system in place is referred to in Italy as the “Calderoli law”, approved in 2005 and already used in the 2006 and 2008. Both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate are elected with a proportional system with a majority premium. The two systems however are not identical.

The supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law are enshrined in section one of the founding provisions of the constitution. In effect, this means ours is a system in which all laws and conduct have to be consistent with our founding norms and values on pain of being struck down by the courts as invalid. While the constitution itself is contained in a single document drafted by the founders of our new constitutional order, the rule of law is less easily identified but no less important for the success of the democratic project the nation embarked upon in 1994.

One example of how society has come to view gender and disability is demonstrated by the iconographic historical symbol of justice, the blindfolded Lady Justice.

WJP Launches Most Comprehensive Rule of Law Index to Date