The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. While many Skoll social entrepreneurs advance human rights on some level, those that directly address human rights injustices focus on democratic freedoms, gender equality, and labor rights.

Desired Equilibrium

Every individual is born into a society where the government diligently and justly protects against persecution based on sex, ethnicity, religious beliefs or political affiliations. All individuals are granted equal opportunity to participate democratically in political systems and to make their voices heard without fear of retribution.

Ways Skoll social entrepreneurs are addressing the issue:

• Using strategic surveillance and transparency to demand abuser accountability and ensure effective rule of law (Global Witness, Verite, Videre, WITNESS)
• Advocating for new policy reforms that better protect human rights (Breakthrough, Crisis Action, Equal Justice Initiative, Global Witness, Girls Not Brides, GoodWeave)
• Equipping local groups and citizens with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to ensure human rights protection (Benetech, Search for Common Ground, Tostan, Videre, WITNESS)
• Mobilizing citizens at scale  through human rights campaigns and media, influencing decision-makers at all levels of society (Breakthrough, Crisis Action, Global Witness)
• Protecting the rights of vulnerable groups and reversing abuses through social reintegration and connection to valuable services (Basic Needs, Equal Justice Initiative, GoodWeave, Namati, Nidan, Visayan Forum Foundation)