Have Services Become the New Rights? A MENA Regional Reflection
By: Saoussen Ben Cheikh, Founder of MENA-can
Introduction: The SDGs and Human Rights Framework
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were introduced by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. Rooted in a human rights perspective, the SDGs aim to translate equality, dignity, and justice principles into actionable targets. Each of the 17 goals reflects a fundamental human right, from the right to education and healthcare to the right to clean water and decent work.
In the MENA region, where conflicts, economic instability, corruption, and governance challenges exacerbate existing problems, the SDGs provide a practical framework to address immediate needs while also supporting long-term human rights progress.
A Shift in Priorities: From Ideals to Immediate Needs
Across much of the MENA region, public services are crumbling, and faith in the political system is declining, replaced by a demand for tangible improvements in daily life. In Syria, a devastating conflict erupted. Yemen and Sudan have been engulfed in a prolonged war and humanitarian crisis. Even in Tunisia, often hailed as the success story of the Arab Spring, many citizens feel let down and are now nostalgic for the stability of the old regime.
Against this backdrop, there is a notable shift in priorities across the region. Abstract ideals of human rights have given way to more practical concerns, what some may describe as a transition from idealism to pragmatism. Instead of the revolutionary demands for freedom, dignity, and justice, many are now asking, “Can we have good healthcare, education, or reliable electricity?” Basic services, such as healthcare, education, clean water, and sanitation, have deteriorated so much that they have become the primary focus for citizens.
In Tunisia, the birthplace of the Arab Spring, citizens’ frustration with unmet needs has overshadowed the pursuit of democratic ideals. Economic hardship and the government’s inability to deliver public services have led many citizens to prioritise immediate survival over ideals of democracy and human rights. Job creation, healthcare, and education have become the loudest demands, overshadowing the revolutionary calls for democratic reforms that once ignited the revolution.
This shift from human rights to survival raises a critical question:
Have we, consciously or unconsciously, shifted from a human rights-based approach to one that prioritises service provision, as reflected in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? In other words, have basic services become the new rights?
The Risks of Prioritising Service Delivery Over Systemic Reform
While meeting immediate needs is essential, overemphasising service delivery without addressing underlying systemic issues carries significant risks. Governments may use the provision of services as a short-term strategy, avoiding deeper reforms that tackle root causes such as corruption, inequality, and lack of accountability. This approach risks perpetuating cycles of societal inequity and delaying sustainable progress.
For example, in Egypt, while the government has invested heavily in infrastructure projects such as new cities and bridges, critics argue that these initiatives often sideline pressing systemic issues like corruption, political oppression, and economic inequality.
Almost a decade after the adoption of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, global progress remains slow. According to a recent press release, only 17% of the SDGs are on track to be met. The MENA region is even further behind, with countries like Sudan, Yemen, and Syria struggling due to ongoing conflict and economic collapse.
This underperformance is reflected in MENA’s poor scores on human rights and SDG indices. According to the World Economic Forum, MENA countries average 59.8 out of 100 in SDG progress, ranking among the worst globally in terms of freedom and gender equality, with Yemen at the bottom. These numbers tell only part of the story as ongoing wars and conflicts in several countries, including Yemen or Syria, have deeply impacted the region’s capacity to improve their services.
The MENA region’s poor performance on human rights indices and SDG progress underscores the deep connection between these two frameworks. One cannot fully advance without the other. Without addressing the root causes of societal inequities, reliance on service delivery alone may offer temporary relief but leave the fundamental challenges unresolved.
Social Entrepreneurs Filling the Void
In response to the MENA region’s social and environmental challenges, social entrepreneurship has emerged as a powerful tool to address both immediate needs and systemic issues. By focusing on capacity-building, community participation, and collaboration, social enterprises empower local communities to drive sustainable change and advocate for their rights.
In conflict-affected areas, where government institutions often falter, social entrepreneurs fill critical gaps by providing innovative solutions that tackle pressing issues such as access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Their efforts not only meet urgent needs but also foster resilience and long-term development, even in the most challenging circumstances.
A growing number of programs, funded by international donors and development agencies, as well as local self-funded initiatives, are creating a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. These initiatives aim to support social entrepreneurs in tackling critical issues such as poverty, inequality, health and well-being, climate change, with networks of incubators, accelerators, and funding platforms providing necessary resources and guidance.
In Yemen, for instance, the ROWAD Foundation, serves as a business incubator, offering young entrepreneurs essential tools, skills, and mentorship to turn innovative ideas into impactful businesses. This surge in support fills gaps left by struggling public services and nurtures a new generation of changemakers committed to positive social impact.
Social Entrepreneurship in Action: Examples from the MENA Region
Social entrepreneurship has emerged as a new arena where service provision and human rights advocacy intersect. The shift towards service provision and the SDGs has allowed civilians from NGOs, private sector, and social entrepreneurs to move away from contentious political debates and work more collaboratively on actionable solutions that bring immediate benefits to people’s lives. By emphasising actionable solutions that improve the lives of ordinary citizens while keeping human rights principles at the core; this is a much more pragmatic approach to addressing the root causes of poverty, inequality, and injustice.
Social entrepreneurs across the MENA region are today making strides in blending service provision with human rights advocacy. These initiatives not only address immediate needs but also inspire systemic change, offering hope and a blueprint for others to follow:
- Healthcare Access: Altibbi, Jordan
Altibbi is a telemedicine platform providing remote medical consultations to underserved communities in Jordan and beyond. By leveraging technology, it ensures access to healthcare — a fundamental human right — even in areas where traditional services are lacking.
2. Clean Energy: KarmSolar, Egypt
KarmSolar is revolutionizing access to energy by delivering affordable solar solutions to businesses and off-grid communities in Egypt. This social enterprise not only addresses energy insecurity but also promotes sustainability and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
3) Education: Tabshoura, Lebanon
Tabshoura is an e-learning platform offering digital educational content tailored to Syrian refugee children and marginalized communities in Lebanon. By providing accessible and inclusive education, it tackles barriers that perpetuate inequality and secures the right to education for vulnerable populations.
4) Waste Management: Live Love Recycle, Lebanon
Live Love Recycle engages citizens in Beirut to recycle household waste through a mobile app. This initiative not only addresses the environmental crisis but also fosters community participation, turning waste management into a collaborative effort.
5) Empowering Women and Youth: Enda Tamweel, Tunisia
Enda Tamweel is a microfinance organization offering financial services and business training to empower women entrepreneurs and small business owners. By providing tools for economic independence, it champions gender equality and uplifts communities.
6) Food Security: Yemeni Women Union, Yemen
Among its various programs, the Yemeni Women Union includes efforts to improve food security at the community level. YWU supports women in rural areas by offering training in agriculture and food processing, enabling them to contribute to their households’ food supply and generate income.
Conclusion
The MENA region’s challenge is not to abandon the pursuit of human rights, but to translate them into everyday actions that meaningfully improve lives. Achieving this requires a collective commitment from governments, civil society, and the private sector, recognising that service delivery should not be an end in itself, but a means to realise broader human rights aspirations. While the road ahead is challenging, there is hope in the growing efforts to create positive change. Ultimately, the goal remains unchanged: a just, equitable, and sustainable future where the rights and dignity of all individuals are respected and fulfilled.
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Cheikh, S. (7 February, 2024). Have We Swapped the Human Rights Approach for the More Tangible, Service-Oriented Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved (month date year) from (https://catalystnow.medium.com/have-services-become-the-new-rights-a-mena-regional-reflection-b0ca6630e9d4)
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