Solution

Development via Respect for Human Rights

This solution addresses human rights abuses in Africa for women, community inhabitants

  • Whoweare 2

Problem Description

Tostan’s mission is to empower African communities to bring about sustainable development and positive social transformation based on respect for human rights. Tostan means “breakthrough” in the Wolof language of West Africa. Since 1991, Tostan has brought its three-year Community Empowerment Program (CEP) to thousands of communities in ten African countries: Burkina Faso, Djibouti, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Somalia, and Sudan. CEP empowers communities to change their own lives by teaching them about human rights and dignity in a way that is respectful, inclusive, holistic, and sustainable. Participants help to spread the knowledge they gain through their social networks. In this way, that knowledge becomes the catalyst for positive change on a community, regional, and national level.

Building Blocks

Solution Type

  • Skoll Social Entrepreneur

    • Photos

    • Whoweare 2

    Solution Stage

    One of the 7 stages of an innovation. Learn more
    STAGE SPECIALIST SKILLS REQUIRED EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES RISK LEVEL AND HANDLING FINANCE REQUIRED KINDS OF EVIDENCE GENERATED GOAL
    Developing and implementing5
    Strong leadership, management, implementation skills
    • Policy design
    • Programme design
    • Business modelling
    • Organisational design
    • Prepare for some adaptation to implementation
    MEDIUM
    • Programme funds, equity, loans, grants
    HIGH
    A robust and detailed case developed through formal evaluation and evidence gathering – use of a control group to isolate impact
    An implemented and sustainable innovation

    Submitted By

    Bryan Lehrer74310022 copy

    Key Details

    Solution Type
    Skoll Social Entrepreneur
    Activity