Youth in DRG Programs
Module: Rule of Law and the Justice Sector
The rule of law (ROL) is a key element of democracy and good governance. It requires the promulgation, dissemination, and implementation of laws and systems to guarantee human rights, regulate accountability of individuals and institutions, and create and reinforce new norms.
USAID identifies five key elements of the rule of law: order and security, legitimacy, checks and balances, fairness, and effective application. The justice sector operationalizes the rule of law through both the legal framework and justice system institutions and actors, such as the police, prosecutors, judiciary, and lawyers and legal service providers. Even when the law is neutral in theory, laws sometimes reflect and reinforce inequality in practice.
Citizens’ experience with the justice system and access to justice is often deeply shaped by their identities. The most vulnerable members of society, including youth, are more likely to be marginalized within the justice system and have the least access to justice. Justice systems – and society as a whole – may be completely transformed when rule of law and justice sector programs integrate youth and other marginalized groups and take into account the barriers that they face, including discrimination, inequality, poverty, and lack of education or rights awareness. ROL and justice sector programming that is
responsive to youth and other marginalized groups, both within formal and informal or customary justice systems, fosters greater equality and empowerment, access to justice, and promotion of human rights, which in turn helps further inclusive democracy in support of the objectives under USAID’s DRG Strategy.
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Explore the toolkit:
What is Positive Youth Development?
What is Inclusive Development?
Models for Integrating Youth
Cross-cutting Considerations
- Civic Participation
- Youth Organizations
- Youth Leadership
- Example Program Types and Theories of Change
Entry Points for Youth Integration into the Program Cycle
Country/Regional Strategic Planning
Project Design and Implementation
Activity Design and Implementation
Monitoring and Evaluation
Guide to Youth in Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Programs
1. Civil Society
2. Human Rights Protection and Promotion
3. Rule of Law and the Justice Sector
4. Legislative Strengthening
5. Local Governance and Devolution
6. Political Party Development
7. Electoral Processes
8. Anti-Corruption and Accountability
9. Reconciliation, Peacebuilding, and Transitional Justice
10. Media, Information, and Communication Technologies (ICTs)