This publication, launched on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, contains six case studies - from Colombia, Ecuador, Nepal, the Philippines, Türkiye and the United Republic of Tanzania - highlighting national initiatives to promote and protect human rights. The initiatives, supported by UNFPA, illustrate how gender, women's empowerment and cultural issues are being addressed. The purpose is to highlight some of the good work that is being done, and provide guidance and concrete examples of how to integrate human rights standards and principles - such as participation, accountability and non-discrimination - into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes.

The example from Ecuador focuses on a system of checks and balances for the implementation of the Free Maternity Law and the participation of User Committees to provide valuable feedback and insight. In Colombia, the case study highlights how several interconnected programmes create synergy and greater impact for the promotion of human rights. In the United Republic of Tanzania, women have become more aware of their sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights through community mobilization. In Nepal, marginalized women are empowered to raise their voices in defence of their human rights. In Türkiye, a joint UN programme to improve health and well-being tackles the sensitive issue of violence against women. And in the Philippines, strategic interventions have improved the well-being of people.