COVID-19
The Open Society Foundations are working for a humane global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, shaped by justice, accountability, and inclusion.
Public Health First
Incarceration Should Not Be a Death Sentence
Despite earlier promises to fight the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the number of nonviolent offenders in jails and prisons, governments worldwide are dragging their feet and prioritizing the drug war ahead of public health.
A Holistic Answer
Demanding a Just COVID-19 Response
As our grantees, partners, and allies work tirelessly to reduce the damage brought on by the pandemic, we at Open Society are committed to long-term reforms that will address the structural injustices worsened by the virus.
Surveillance Oversight Matters
Q&A: How Civil Society in Brazil Is Defending Privacy Rights
Through advocacy, organizing, and speed, Brazil’s civil society helped pave the way for a recent ruling from the country’s highest court that puts needed limits on how the government can use data to fight COVID-19.
Faith and Healing
Q&A: Preaching Harm Reduction
By bringing harm reduction to the faith community, Faith in Public Life is using the church to save lives in the face of the overdose crisis.
Worker Rights Are Human Rights
Q&A: Women Workers in Fast Fashion Demand Justice
Despite being among the most exploited laborers in the world, garment workers in the fast fashion industry are at the forefront of the movement to reform globalization so it protects and empowers workers.
Power for Refugees
Q&A: Empowered Refugees Lead the Way
The best way to support and empower refugees in a time of crisis is to recognize that they know best how to address the needs of their communities.
Learning from Experience
10 Lessons from HIV for the COVID-19 Response
Harm reduction thinking, minimal police involvement, and the need to keep the price of medicine low—these are some lessons from HIV that we need for the COVID-19 response.
Power to the People
How the Law Can Empower Victims of COVID-19
Through legal empowerment and community-based justice initiatives, the very same people who are suffering the most from the pandemic can be given the tools they need to fight for justice and defend their rights.