On International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, UN Women honours the courage, resilience, and commitment of women and girls in advancing human rights.
Women human rights defenders play a vital role in upholding civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and collective rights. Their efforts are central to ensuring these rights are recognized, promoted, and protected.
In today’s world of interconnected crises, mounting resistance to women’s rights, and shrinking civic space, women human rights defenders face increasing risks. These include gender-based violence, surveillance, harassment, and attacks on their families. Those experiencing intersecting forms of discrimination—based on race, ethnicity, disability, gender identity, or other factors—are particularly vulnerable.
Despite these challenges, women human rights defenders, in all of their diversity, continue to forge alliances, advocate for accountability, demand change and call for peace. From securing legislation to protect women in politics in Tanzania, to upholding the ban on female genital mutilation in the Gambia, to winning a European Court of Human Rights ruling on climate justice in Switzerland, their achievements inspire us all. In conflict-affected countries such as Haiti and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, women human rights defenders are mediating local settlements, providing humanitarian aid, and advocating for inclusive governance.
These successes highlight indispensable contributions women human rights defenders make to equality, justice, and sustainable development. Their rights, health, and safety are integral to environmental protection, democratic integrity, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UN Women calls on Member States, donors, and international bodies to ensure women human rights defenders can operate safely and effectively by:
- Enacting laws to protect women human rights defenders and holding perpetrators accountable;
- Providing physical protection, legal aid, and emergency relocation mechanisms;
- Providing space for women human rights defenders across decision-making spaces; and,
- Ensuring flexible, multi-year funding for women human rights defenders-led programmes, their security, and organizational sustainability.
Women human rights defenders stand at the forefront of global progress. UN Women stands in solidarity with them today and every day. Together, we must continue to champion their rights, amplify their voices, and protect their vital work.
