Jean-Marc Ferré | Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
A general view of participants at the 16th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

Special Focus

AWID is an international, feminist, membership organisation committed to achieving gender equality, sustainable development and women’s human rights

Human Rights Council (HRC)

The Human Rights Council (HRC) is the key intergovernmental body within the United Nations system responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. It holds three regular sessions a year: in March, June and September. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the secretariat for the HRC.

The HRC works by:

  • Debating and passing resolutions on global human rights issues and human rights situations in particular countries

  • Examining complaints from victims of human rights violations or activist organizations on behalf of victims of human rights violations

  • Appointing independent experts (known as “Special Procedures”) to review human rights violations in specific countries and examine and further global human rights issues

  • Engaging in discussions with experts and governments on human rights issues

  • Assessing the human rights records of all UN Member States every four and a half years through the Universal Periodic Review

Learn more about the HRC


AWID works with feminist, progressive and human rights partners to share key knowledge, convene civil society dialogues and events, and influence negotiations and outcomes of the session.

With our partners, our work will:

◾️ Monitor, track and analyze anti-rights actors, discourses and strategies and their impact on resolutions

◾️ Raise awareness of the findings of the 2017 and 2021 OURs Trends Reports.

◾️Support the work of feminist UN experts in the face of backlash and pressure

◾️Advocate for state accountability
 
◾️ Work with feminist movements and civil society organizations to advance rights related to gender and sexuality.
 

Related Content

Snippet FEA FIGHT LIKE SOMEONE WHO CARES (EN)

São Paulo, Brazil

COZINHA OCUPAÇÃO 9 DE JULHO

FIGHT LIKE SOMEONE

WHO CARES

Deborah Holmes

At the time of her death, following a short but aggressive battle with cancer, Deborah was the Chief Communication and Engagement Officer at the Women’s Funding Network (WFN). 

Deborah also worked for the Global Fund for Women from 2008 to  2017. Deborah was extremely loved and respected by board, staff, and partners of Global Fund for Women.

Kavita Ramdas, former CEO of the Global Fund for Women aptly noted that Deborah was “a small package exploding with warmth, generosity, intelligence, style, and a passionate commitment to fusing beauty with justice. She understood the power of story. The power of women’s voice. The power of lived experience. The power of rising from the ashes and telling others it was possible. And, still we rise.”

Musimbi Kanyoro, the present CEO of the Global Fund for Women, added, “We have lost a sister and her life illuminates values that unite and inspire us all. As we all come together to mourn Deborah’s passing, let us remember and celebrate her remarkable, bold, and passionate life.”

 


 

Deborah Holmes, USA

Rising together - Logo and Button - EN

Call for Activities: Deadline extended to February 1st 2024!

AWID Forum - Rising together

Co-create the The 15th AWID International Forum in Bangkok, Thailand.

Submit your activity now!

Do I need a visa to attend the Forum in Taipei?

You DO NOT need a visa to attend the Forum in Taipei if you hold a passport from one of the following countries (the allowed length of your stay varies from one country to another):

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan*, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Island, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom, the United States of America,and Vatican City State, Belize, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Nauru, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore.

People with any other passport WILL NEED A VISA to come to Taipei.


Please note:

It is likely that, once you have registered to attend the Forum, you will get an event-related code that will allow you to apply for your visa electronically regardless of your citizenship.

We will let you know more about this when the Registration opens.

Snippet FEA Ocupação 9 de Julho is more than just a building (ES)

Pero Ocupação 9 de Julho es más que un edificio..

Es un centro comunitario, donde unx puede tomar cursos y capacitarse en actividades creativas que generan ingresos como peluquería local, cocina y creación artística. Lxs niñxs también pueden disfrutar de actividades culturales y educativas.

El MSTC no trabaja solo. Colabora con instituciones y colectivos de arte para producir experiencias culturales, deportivas y educativas, junto con el acceso crítico a la atención médica. Desde su inicio, este proyecto participativo ha sido liderado y llevado a cabo principalmente por mujeres, bajo el liderazgo de la activista afro-brasileña Carmen Silva, quien alguna vez fue una persona sin hogar.

Carmen Griffiths

Carmen encabezaba el Construction Resource and Development Collective (CRDC, Colectivo de recursos para la construcción y el desarrollo) y fue fundamental para apoyar la participación de las mujeres en la industria de la construcción en Jamaica.

También trabajó con mujeres rurales y urbanas en temas relacionados a la preparación para afrontar desastres naturales. Trabajó de manera cercana con mujeres (especialmente madres solteras) enseñándoles cómo usar los cinturones para huracanes y otras tecnologías para poner sus hogares a resguardo. Trabajó en el área de agua y obras sanitarias y fue una fuerte defensora del manejo y desarrollo ambientalmente sustentable.

Fue parte de la Comisión Huairou y realizó incidencia en favor de las mujeres de base en temas vinculados a refugio, energía y medios de vida sustentables.


 

Carmen Griffiths, Jamaica

Snippet - CSW68 - March 12 - FR

Jour 2

12 Mars

Snippet FEA ASOM (FR)

Association des Femmes Afro-Descendantes du Cauca du Nord

L'organisation communautaire des femmes noires dans le Cauca du Nord en Colombie remonte au passé colonial du pays, marqué par le racisme, le patriarcat et le capitalisme qui ont soutenu l'esclavage comme moyen d'exploiter les riches sols de la région. Ces organisatrices sont les héroïnes d'un vaste mouvement pour l'autonomie des personnes noires, luttant pour la gestion durable des forêts et des ressources naturelles de la région, vitales pour leur culture et leur subsistance.

Depuis 25 ans, la Asociación de Mujeres Afrodescendientes del Norte del Cauca (l’Association des Femmes Afro-Descendantes du Cauca du Nord, ASOM) se consacre à la promotion de l'organisation des femmes afro-colombiennes du Cauca du Nord.

L’association a été créée en 1997 en réponse aux violations continues des droits humains, à l'absence de politiques publiques, à la gestion inadéquate des ressources naturelles et au manque d'opportunités pour les femmes dans le territoire.

Elles ont forgé la lutte pour garantir les droits ethno-territoriaux, pour mettre fin aux violences contre les femmes et pour faire reconnaître le rôle des femmes dans la construction de la paix en Colombie.

Kate McInturff

Active dans l’organisation Peacebuild, en passant par l'Alliance canadienne féministe pour l'action internationale, Amnesty International et au Centre canadien de politiques alternatives (CCPA), Kate était une passionnée des droits des femmes et de l'égalité de genre qui a consacré sa carrière à lutter contre les inégalités et à faire du monde un lieu plus empathique.

Kate a été membre du comité de coordination de Social Watch et a contribué aux rapports nationaux canadiens de Social Watch. En tant que chercheuse principale du CCPA, Kate a été saluée dans son pays pour ses travaux de recherche, ses écrits et la production du rapport annuel intitulé « Les meilleures et les pires endroits du Canada où vivre en tant que femme ».

Entourée de sa famille, Kate est décédée paisiblement après trois ans de lutte contre le cancer du côlon. Ses proches la décrivent comme une « féministe drôle, sans peur et sans complexes ».


 

Kate McInturff, Canada

Snippet - CSW68 - AWID at CSW Post - EN

Image with purple background. The words: AWID at CSW - Reclaiming Feminist Power. New York.

Snippet FEA Barcelona, Spain (EN)

Barcelona, Spain

Metzineres

 

Womxn Take Drugs.

DEAL WITH IT.

Mary Assad

An expert on social development and anthropologist by training, Mary was best known as a pioneer in the battle against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Born in Cairo Egypt in 1922, Mary’s work in development started early, as she joined the Youth Women’s Christians’ Association (YWCA). Mary was a member of the World Council of Churches and became increasingly concerned with issues regarding women’s health. Her long struggle against FGM proved fruitful in 2008, when Egypt finally criminalized the practice.

She is remembered as a mentor to many Egyptian feminists and activists.


 

Mary Assad, Egypt

Snippet - WITM why - EN

Why should I take this survey?