Inequality is not just a natural human social phenomenon, the way dominance behavior is for apes. Nor is it the accidental outcome of an economic system. It’s a carefully constructed social and economic hierarchy, benefiting those with wealth and influence, and enforced by political control and physical power.

Human societies were not always organized this way. Original human cultures were generally egalitarian, based on a sharing economy and collaborative decision-making. In fact, studies show that virtually no one likes to receive less than others, and most people are more comfortable with their co-equals. This reflects a deep aspect of human nature.

Over the millennia, most people came to understand that the best way to prevent ambitious individuals from dominating others was group solidarity and resistance: that is, joining forces to push back collectively in order to maintain equality within the society.

As technologies of aggression developed, it became more difficult for groups of people to defend their social, economic and political rights. Difficult – but not impossible. Examples from around the world show that, with determination, collaboration, effective strategy and solidarity, it is still possible for people to reclaim their rights, empowerment and sovereignty. This is the ongoing struggle for equality.

IfE’s global network has been structured to enable solidarity-based collaborations to regain peoples’ rights since our formation in 2011. In particular, members of IfE’s network within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries have stepped up and taken advantage of the opportunities for collaboration towards rights and equality.

Read about our Indigenous Peoples’ rights collaboration, asserting the land rights, economic rights, social rights and gender rights of the Batwa (Pygmy) people in the African Great Lakes region.

Read about our Congolese civil society collaboration, advocating for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC in the face of a military invasion and illegal occupation.