This report analyses the responses to the women human rights defenders questionnaire developed by the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition.  There were 90 respondents in 32 countries that answered the survey.  Except for 2 men and 2 transgender, the respondents were all female. There were 6 who identified themselves as lesbians, 1 as bi-sexual, and many as heterosexuals.  Over half of the respondents have spent more than 10 years in activism. All except 1 of the respondents belong to a formal organisation. 

In spite of a high level of education among all respondents, only 3 of those that answered this question stated that they earn over US $5,000 a month.  Over a fifth stated they earn only about US$ 200 a month.  24% make not more than US $ 5,000 and 16% earn between US $ 501 – 1,000.

80 of the 90 respondents claimed they have heard of the term ‘women human rights defenders’; and 75 identified themselves as such. More than half of them experienced violations as women human rights defenders.  The most common violations are:  intimidation and harassment; surveillance and blacklisting; attacks and intimidation of family members; defamation, slander, vilification; killing and attempted killing.  About 8 of the female respondents claimed experiencing sexual violence.

While only 1 respondent cited ‘restrictive use of customary law and religion’ as a violation, many of the women human rights defenders cited discrimination against them as a major obstacle to their activism.  This is so particularly for respondents belonging to marginalised groups such as Dalit, transgender and LGBTs.  In general, the defenders’ vulnerability to violations is closely related to their focus of work, with those working in conflict areas, defence of human rights defenders, and sexual and reproductive rights more vulnerable than others.  Women human rights defenders that work at local or national levels also experienced more violations than those who work with regional or international organisations.

Almost all of the respondents cited lack of resources as a major obstacle in their work.  Regardless of their number of children and responsibilities at home, majority complained of physical and psychological exhaustion.  The survey indicated that women human rights activism is so under-resourced yet the level of impunity is high that the women human rights defenders have exploited themselves in the process.

The respondents recommended that the following must change to improve their situation:  1) Step up and continue efforts to end impunity; 2) Create an enabling environment for women by combating discrimination in all forms;  3)  Address activists’ well-being and security;  4) advocate for more resources for women’s rights;  5) continue capacity building and education on human rights.

The findings speak to the validity of the four calls of the international campaign on women human rights defenders in 2005, and affirm the relevance of the strategic objectives identified by the coalition in January 2008. 

 

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Report of the Consultation on Women Human Rights Defenders with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders, Bangkok, 2003.

The Consultation on Women Human Rights Defenders was convened by Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), Amnesty International (AI) and International Women’s Rights Action Watch-Asia Pacific (IWRAW-AP) on April 4-6, 2003 at Amari Atrium Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. It was attended by 30 participants from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Switzerland, Thailand, the United States and the United Kingdom. The UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders also participated in the consultation.

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Proceedings of the International Consultation on Women Human Rights Defenders by Victoria Collis, River Path Associates

Evaluation Report of the International Campaign on Women Human Rights Defenders

This evaluation report is an assessment of the activities and results of the International Campaign on Women Human Rights Defenders in 2005. It reviews the outcomes of the international consultation, the main event of the campaign, and the impacts of various activities carried out by the Women Human Rights Defenders' International Coordinating Committee (WHRD-ICC). It also details the various follow-up activities proposed by the participants and the WHRD-ICC.

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Resource Book on Women Human Rights Defenders

This resource book is a collection of the presentations made during the plenary sessions at the International Consultation on Women Human Rights Defenders held on 29 November - 2 December in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The presentations have been edited and transformed into short articles that discuss in more detail and depth the various topics on women human rights defenders included in the program. It aims to capture the varied and complex manifestations of the challenges faced by women human rights defenders working in different regions, on different areas of human rights. It attempts to raise some of the controversial, yet crucial considerations in evolving strategies that are appropriate for the protection of women human right defenders. This publication is intended as a complimentary resource book to the published proceedings of the consultation.

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In observance of the 16 Days of Activism to end Gender Violence 25 November to 10 December International Day for Women Human Rights Defenders 29 November World Human Rights Day 10 December

This video is created in observance of the 16 Days of Activism to end Gender Violence, International Day for Women Human Rights Defenders, and World Human Rights Day 2008. Footages were taken from WHRD meetings, APWLD photo bank and the One-in-Nine Campaign: Solidarity with Women who Speak Out march at Cape Town, South Africa 2008.