Peace. Democracy. Sustainable development. Equality.

To achieve each of these visions for a better world, we must be able to protect our basic rights and hold the powerful accountable. That is the purpose of law.

Yet the UN estimates that 4 billion people live outside the protection of the law: They do not understand it, cannot use it, and do not get to shape it. As a result, they can be driven from their land, intimidated by violence, and excluded from society. For them, injustice is the norm.

But change is within reach.

Justice defenders are bringing down barriers that prevent people and communities from accessing justice. Now, governments need to do their part.

In 2015, 193 countries agreed to make “access to justice for all” one of the goals for achieving sustainable development by 2030. This marked a huge shift in global thinking. But, the work of justice defenders remains chronically underfunded, and the defenders themselves are increasingly at risk.

We cannot let this continue.