Democratic Republic of Congo
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, AJWS helps the country’s most vulnerable people recover from decades of violence, insecurity and genocide, and protect the land that so many depend on for survival. Our grantees are…
Kenya
In Kenya, AJWS defends communities' access to land, water and other natural resources that are being exploited by irresponsible development projects. AJWS grantees also work to end violence and discrimination against — and create opportunities…
Liberia
In Liberia, AJWS focuses on securing communities' access to land and other natural resources that they depend on for survival, and ending discrimination and violence against women and LGBTQI+ people. AJWS grantees also continue to…
Senegal
In Senegal, AJWS plays a key role in supporting grassroots organizations working to achieve a just and equitable peace in the Casamance region of Senegal, where over 35 years of violent conflict has brought terror…
Uganda
In Uganda, AJWS focuses on ending discrimination and violence against women, girls and LGBTQI+ people, and defending communities' access to land, water and natural resources that are being exploited by oil drilling projects.
Cambodia
In Cambodia, AJWS focuses on two critical human rights issues: protecting peoples’ civil and political rights, and defending rural communities’ rights to land, water and other natural resources that they depend on for survival.
India
In India, AJWS focuses on three critical issues: ending the practice of child marriage, advancing the rights of women, girls and LGBTQI+ people, and increasing access to food, land, water and other natural resources that…
Indonesia
In Indonesia, AJWS supports grassroots organizations fighting for the rights of communities displaced by the dual tsunamis and resulting earthquake of 2018 — communities that, in the wake of these disasters, have been ignored by…
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, AJWS focuses on advancing civil and political rights, and increasing access to land, water and other natural resources that vulnerable communities depend on for survival.
Thailand
In Thailand, AJWS focuses on ending human rights violations against LGBTQI+ people, and defending the land, water and natural resources critical for the survival of Thailand’s rural people.
Dominican Republic
In the Dominican Republic, AJWS focuses on advancing the civil and political rights of those most affected by racism, including Haitian migrants and Dominicans of Haitian descent, who are discriminated against because of their skin…
El Salvador
In El Salvador, AJWS focuses on ending human rights violations against women and LGBTQI+ people, and protecting the land and water that is critical for the survival of farmers, Indigenous people, youth, women and communities…
Guatemala
In Guatemala, AJWS focuses on ending violence and discrimination against women, youth and Indigenous people, and protecting the land and natural resources that farmers need to survive. AJWS grantees also protect human rights defenders seen…
Haiti
In Haiti, AJWS focuses on promoting human rights and protecting Haitian land from damaging development projects as the country recovers from the devastating earthquake in 2010 and decades of coups, dictatorships, occupations and invasions. Despite…
Mexico
In Mexico, AJWS grantee organizations support the fight for justice and truth waged by groups of families of people “disappeared” during the country’s ongoing armed conflict. They also defend vulnerable Mexican communities from damaging development…
Nicaragua
In Nicaragua, AJWS is committed to supporting the rights of oppressed people, including women, LGBTQI+ people and Indigenous communities. AJWS grantees advocate for their human rights and organize social movements in order to create a…
United States
Here in the U.S., AJWS advocates for progressive foreign policy that supports equitable, just societies that respect the human rights of all people around the globe.
With Your Help, AJWS’s Grantees Change the World
Together, we fight against oppression
The social change organizations that AJWS supports ensure that communities facing poverty, discrimination and injustice have a say in shaping their own futures. AJWS grantees draw their strength from the guidance of local leaders, who speak out to address the root causes of poverty and persecution, so that their own communities can claim their human rights and control their own lives. Whether fighting for the ancestral land of Indigenous communities in Kenya, or shifting social norms so Indian girls can choose education instead of early marriage, our grantees listen to their communities and fight for what they need to thrive.
Together, we change laws and protect democracy
AJWS grantee organizations go to court and into the halls of power, persuading judges and governments to strike down unjust and discriminatory laws and policies. And in the face of rising authoritarianism, activists AJWS supports mobilize people to demand that their rights are protected and democracy can flourish. Our grantees have played critical roles in overturning anti-homosexuality laws in Uganda and India, passing legislation banning toxic metal mining in El Salvador, calling out corruption and fighting for a free press in Haiti—and much more.
Together, we support communities to rebuild after disasters
Organizations supported by AJWS act quickly and decisively during natural disasters and humanitarian crises, saving countless lives. These local activists listen to the needs of their communities on the ground, providing immediate material relief and creating sustainable ways to recover and rebuild. In the last few years alone, AJWS grantees have responded to tsunamis in Indonesia, hurricanes in Latin America, cyclones in India and more. They support remote, vulnerable and marginalized communities often abandoned by other aid efforts, helping people not only survive, but live with dignity.
Together, we strengthen social movements
AJWS grantees understand that lasting social change comes when the voices of their communities rise together until they can no longer be ignored. With AJWS’s support, our grantees build and strengthen powerful social movements demanding human rights for the most vulnerable people. They have been at the center of grassroots movements defending the environment against harmful coal plants in Kenya, demanding that the government act to locate ‘disappeared’ people in Mexico, protecting workers’ rights in Guatemala and many, many more.
Together, we slow the spread of COVID-19
As the COVID-19 virus tore through the world in 2020, AJWS grantee organizations needed to pivot quickly to address the immediate needs of their communities—while continuing to fight for their human rights. In nearly every country where AJWS works, our grantee organizations spread critical information to help people protect themselves, distributed masks and disinfectant, and helped communities develop new sources of income and food during lockdowns. In 2021, they began fiercely advocating for vaccine equity, so all people can stay safe and healthy. Their work has saved lives and protected whole communities.
We measure progress to improve future outcomes
AJWS vigorously monitors and evaluates our grantees’ progress, based on short- and long-term goals, so that both we and they can learn what improves the lives of the vulnerable people and communities they serve.
We collectivize our grantees’ learnings to strengthen global impact
AJWS vigorously monitors and evaluates our grantees’ progress, based on short- and long-term goals, so that both we and they can learn what improves the lives of the vulnerable people and communities they serve.