Open Society Initiative for West Africa

The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) is committed to supporting the creation of open societies marked by a functioning democracy, good governance, rule of law, protection of human rights, and public engagement in policymaking. In 2006, OSIWA focused on deepening and strengthening its programs and activities focusing on governance, law, justice and human rights, information technology and media, and special initiatives aimed at building the capacity of civil society organizations.

The following briefs describe some of the initiative’s activities and achievements in 2006.

New Institute to Strengthen Civil Society

OSIWA established a new institute to improve the abilities and performance of civil society groups as professional, democratic organizations. Launched in Ghana, the West Africa Civil Society Institute addresses a number of key problems hindering civil society organizations in the sub-region—problems such as low levels of professional skills and democratic practices, poor funding profiles and fundraising strategies, and lack of engagement among civil society organizations and with key public and private sector officials and agencies.

Traditional Leaders Improve Management and Governance Skills

A good-governance program helped tribal leaders in West Africa improve the management of land and natural resources in their communities. Traditional rulers received computer, administrative, and fundraising training and participated in a grant-aid scheme that supported community projects initiated by the chiefs. The trainings are part of OSIWA efforts to help chiefs become responsive leaders familiar with the rules and regulations of their communities as well as those of the larger state in which they reside.

Civil Society Addresses Women and the Law in West Africa

A conference of legal experts and human rights activists concluded that the region’s various systems of customary and constitutional law continue to regard women as subservient to men. A number of countries give priority to customary law practices that discriminate against women in the areas of inheritance and spousal rights. Many states also have not ratified or implemented major international and regional conventions on the rights of women and girls. The conference, organized by OSIWA, developed strategies for persuading tribal leaders, communities, and policymakers to reduce discriminatory traditional practices and for focusing on ratifying international and regional human rights instruments.

Reconciliation Efforts Begin in Liberia

The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission began pursuing its two-year mandate to facilitate reconciliation and justice in a country shattered by 14 years of civil war. With funding from OSIWA and the OSI Women’s Program, the commission will hold meetings with communities affected by the war, conduct workshops to help women participate in the tribunal, and train staff to investigate cases. By the end of 2006, the tribunal had deployed 187 staff to begin taking formal witness statements.

Gender Bias in Nigerian Constitution Challenged

A network of activists supported by OSIWA conducted research that revealed significant gender bias and discriminatory language in the country’s 1999 constitution. The problems ranged from the almost exclusive use of “he” throughout the document to a lack of provisions addressing the needs of Nigerian women whose foreign husbands want to become Nigerian citizens. Gender activists sent 100-women delegations to every regional public hearing on the constitution. A significant number of their suggestions were included in the final report on constitutional reform for the national assembly.