Morality Policies – 4 strategies to end discrimination locally

Join us to explore 4 strategies for local governments to combat discriminatory policies and defend democracy! Discover how decentralization and strengthening local democracy can help resist autocratic tendencies in countries where democracy is retreating. Learn about tools and incentives that local governments can use to stand up against anti-rights policies and the role of morality in shaping their responses.

Co-organized by ICLD and DeLoG

Introduction by Johan Lilja, Secretary General, ICLD

Moderator: Helena Bjuremalm, Deputy Head of Democracy Unit, Sida

Panel:
– Wawan Mas’udi, Universitas Gadjah Mada Indonesia, author of the research project Morality Policies and the Prospect for Inclusive Citizenship in Decentralized Indonesia
– Shora Esmailian, journalist, author and women’s rights activist from Iran/Sweden
– Carol Muga, Nairobi County Assembly, Kenya
– Julia Sällström and Diana Bogelund, Roma information- and Knowledge Center, Malmö City, Sweden
– Olga Ditsie, Mayor of Jwaneng Town, Botswana
– Sergeant Kgosietsile, HBTQ activist and former councilor in Gaborone, Botswana

Cases to be highlighted:

• Local politicians’ use of morality policies in Indonesia (presentation of new ICLD research)
• Protests against the morality police in Iran
• Child- and youth inclusion in Kenya
• LGBTQ advocacy and GBV in Gaborone, Botswana
• Discrimination of Roma communities in Sweden

Against the background of the video policy brief shown above, the panel will discuss the following questions:

– How can local governments respond to the rise of discriminatory policies?
– What are cases where they have spurred on this development and where they have reversed it?
– How can decentralization and strengthening local democracy help resist the autocratic trajectory of formerly/relatively democratic countries?
– What tools – or incentives – do local governments have to stand up against anti-rights policy (or not)?