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Special Focus

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

Women Human Rights Defenders

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WHRDs are self-identified women and lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LBTQI) people and others who defend rights and are subject to gender-specific risks and threats due to their human rights work and/or as a direct consequence of their gender identity or sexual orientation.

WHRDs are subject to systematic violence and discrimination due to their identities and unyielding struggles for rights, equality and justice.

The WHRD Program collaborates with international and regional partners as well as the AWID membership to raise awareness about these risks and threats, advocate for feminist and holistic measures of protection and safety, and actively promote a culture of self-care and collective well being in our movements.

Risks and threats targeting WHRDs  

WHRDs are exposed to the same types of risks that all other defenders who defend human rights, communities, and the environment face. However, they are also exposed to gender-based violence and gender-specific risks because they challenge existing gender norms within their communities and societies.

By defending rights, WHRDs are at risk of:

  • Physical assault and death
  • Intimidation and harassment, including in online spaces
  • Judicial harassment and criminalization
  • Burnout

A collaborative, holistic approach to safety

We work collaboratively with international and regional networks and our membership

  • to raise awareness about human rights abuses and violations against WHRDs and the systemic violence and discrimination they experience
  • to strengthen protection mechanisms and ensure more effective and timely responses to WHRDs at risk

We work to promote a holistic approach to protection which includes:

  • emphasizing the importance of self-care and collective well being, and recognizing that what care and wellbeing mean may differ across cultures
  • documenting the violations targeting WHRDs using a feminist intersectional perspective;
  • promoting the social recognition and celebration of the work and resilience of WHRDs ; and
  • building civic spaces that are conducive to dismantling structural inequalities without restrictions or obstacles

Our Actions

We aim to contribute to a safer world for WHRDs, their families and communities. We believe that action for rights and justice should not put WHRDs at risk; it should be appreciated and celebrated.

  • Promoting collaboration and coordination among human rights and women’s rights organizations at the international level to  strengthen  responses concerning safety and wellbeing of WHRDs.

  • Supporting regional networks of WHRDs and their organizations, such as the Mesoamerican Initiative for WHRDs and the WHRD Middle East and North Africa  Coalition, in promoting and strengthening collective action for protection - emphasizing the establishment of solidarity and protection networks, the promotion of self-care, and advocacy and mobilization for the safety of WHRDs;

  • Increasing the visibility and recognition of  WHRDs and their struggles, as well as the risks that they encounter by documenting the attacks that they face, and researching, producing, and disseminating information on their struggles, strategies, and challenges:

  • Mobilizing urgent responses of international solidarity for WHRDs at risk through our international and regional networks, and our active membership.

Related Content

Type

Snippet - WITM about research - RU

Об исследовании «Где же деньги для феминистских объединений?»

Глобальный опрос «Где деньги для феминистских объединений?» является ключевым элементом третьего этапа нашего исследования, ориентированного на конкретные действия: «Где деньги для феминистских объединений» (короткое название – «Где деньги?»). Результаты опроса будут доработаны и обстоятельно изучены в ходе бесед с активистами и донорами, а также сопоставлены с другими имеющимися аналитическими материалами и исследованиями о состоянии ресурсов феминистских движений и инициатив по достижению гендерного равенства во всем мире.

Полный отчет организации «Где деньги для феминистских объединений?» будет опубликован в 2026 году.

Чтобы узнать больше о том, как AWID освещает вопросы финансирования феминистских движений, ознакомьтесь с историей инициативы «Где деньги?» и нашими предыдущими отчетами здесь.

Defending our land and ourselves from corporate power

These industries 'extract' raw materials from the Earth: mining, timber, gas, oil are some examples

This economical model exploits nature and as it intensifies, so does the inequality between global North with their large corporations, and the global South, where resources are extracted.

Land contamination, water pollution, environmental damage, communities displaced are only some of the consequences.

Find more on our report on EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES

There are sustainable alternatives for the environment and women's rights.

 

Mridula Prasad

Read in: English French Spanish
Category
Sexual & Reproductive Rights
Region
Pacific
Date of death / disappearance
Cause of death / disappearance

Natural

Mridula was a strong advocate for the advancement for women’s health at a time when the topic of women’s sexual and reproductive health were considered taboo in Fiji.

The initial works of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement about sexual and reproductive rights were under her guidance, and in September 1999, the United Nations Population Fund presented her with a regional award for Reproductive Health and Rights. Mridula was a strong, dedicated and tireless campaigner who was passionate about women’s health and empowerment.

She was a valued member of the women’s and feminist movement in Fiji and her contributions will always be remembered. Mridula passed away due to natural causes in 2017.

Mridula Prasad, Fiji

Snippet FEA lines of work Against (FR)

Illustration d'un livre rose sur lequel est écrit : « Droits du travail » avec un X rouge, l

LES VIOLATIONS DES DROITS DU TRAVAIL

Почему мне стоит принять участие в опросе?

Есть много причин, по которым ваше участие в опросе очень важно. Это возможность поделиться своим опытом привлечения финансирования для деятельности вашей организации; заявить о себе как об эксперте в вопросах движения денежных средств и их получателей; внести свой вклад в коллективную и последовательную адвокацию среди доноров, чтобы привлечь более объемное и эффективное финансирование. За последние два десятилетия исследования AWID в этой области зарекомендовали себя как ключевой ресурс для активисток(-тов) и доноров. Мы приглашаем вас присоединиться к нам в реализации третьей части инициативы «Где деньги?», чтобы осветить реальное состояние ресурсного обеспечения, оспорить ошибочные решения и указать на то, как необходимо изменить финансирование, чтобы движения процветали и реагировали на сложные вызовы нашего времени.

Voici votre guide pratique et les infographies «Vers un écosystème de financement féministe»

Amal Bayou

Read in: English French Spanish
Category
Derechos civiles y políticos
Region
África
África del Norte
Cause of death / disappearance

Natural

Amal fue una destacada política y parlamentaria de Libia.

Fue docente de la Universidad de Benghazi desde 1995 hasta su muerte, en 2017. Amal fue activista de la sociedad civil e integrante de varias iniciativas sociales y políticas. Asistió a las familias de lxs mártires y de lxs desaparecidxs y fue una de lxs fundadorxs de una iniciativa juvenil llamada «Juventud de Benghazi Libia».

En las elecciones parlamentarias de 2014, Amal fue elegida para la Cámara de Representantes con más de 14.000 votos (el mayor número de votos recibido por unx candidatx en las elecciones de 2014). Permanecerá en la memoria de muchxs como una mujer que actuó en política para garantizar un futuro mejor en uno de los contextos de la región más difíciles y afectados por los conflictos.

 

Amal Bayou, Libya
Body

Snippet FEA HEALTH CONDITIONS (EN)

An illustration of a white-skinned person in yellow uniform of a nurse with stethoscope in their hand.

HEALTH CONDITIONS

Reason to join 3

Share your stories and hear from others. By connecting our experiences, narratives and proposals we help co-create and amplify Feminist Realities.

Nós redistribuímos recursos para os nossos parceires beneficiários e identificamo-nos como um fundo feminista e/ou de mulheres. Devemos participar no inquérito?

Não, apreciamos muito o vosso trabalho, mas atualmente não solicitamos respostas de fundos feministas e de mulheres. Encorajamos-vos a partilhar o inquérito com os vossos parceires beneficiários e as vossas redes feministas.

The AWID Forum Access Fund

We strive to make the AWID Forum a truly global gathering with participation from a diverse array of movements, regions and generations. To this end, AWID mobilizes resources for a limited Access Fund (AF) to assist some participants with the costs of attending the Forum. 

The 14th AWID International Forum will take place 11-14 January 2021, in Taipei, Taiwan. 

How will  the Access Fund be allocated?

For this AWID Forum, there will be no application process. 

Access Fund grants will be allocated by invitation only to:

  • Two  persons per activity selected for the Forum program (decided by those organizations, groups or individuals organizing the activity) 
  • Participants who identify as part of Priority Forum  Constituencies (PFCs) recommended by the organizations, networks and groups who are co-creating the Forum with AWID. 
  • PFCs are those which we consider would strengthen our collective power as movements, are not centered in mainstream feminist movements, and whose Feminist Realities we would like to honor, celebrate and visibilize: 
    - Black feminists 
    - Indigenous feminists
    - Trans, gender non-conforming and intersex feminists
    - Feminists with disabilities 
    - Feminist sex workers and informal workers, including migrant workers
    - Feminists affected by migration 
    - Women affected by drug policy
    - Feminists from the Forum regions (with a focus on the Pacific and mainland China) 

In addition, AWID will fund approximately 100 participants from the Forum’s location. Forum Committee Members (Content and Methodology, Access and Host) as well as those in the Artists Working Group [link] are also granted Access Fund support.

What does the Access Fund cover?

For selected participants, the Access Fund will cover the cost of their:

  • Flight
  • Accommodation
  • Visa
  • Local transportation in Taipei
  • Travel medical insurance

The Access Fund will NOT cover their: 

  • Forum registration fee
  • Transportation to and from the airport in their city of departure
  • Other incidental costs

Apart from the Access Fund, how can I fund my participation at the Forum?

We have listed other ideas on how to fund your participation at the AWID Forum on the Funding Ideas page. 

More Funding Ideas

Selena “Rocky” Malone

Read in: English French Spanish
Category
Droits des LGBTQI
Region
Pacifique
Cause of death / disappearance

Accident

Engagée auprès de jeunes lesbiennes, gays, bisexuels, transgenres, intersexuels, queers, et transgenres (appelés Brotherboys-BB et Sistergirls-SS dans la communauté aborigène en Australie), Rocky faisait preuve de vision et d'un leadership inspirants.

Rocky avait commencé sa carrière auprès de la police du Queensland en tant qu'agent de liaison. Faire une différence était très important pour elle. Elle a mené un travail de soutien impressionnant auprès de jeunes de cette communauté en tant que responsable du service jeunesse « Open Doors » (portes ouvertes). Rocky a œuvré dans des situations complexes liées spécifiquement aux questions de genre et d'identité sexuelle.Elle avait un don naturel dans ce domaine: c’était une leader communautaire solide, une femme sereine, une amie fidèle, une personne aimante et attentionnée ainsi qu’une actrice du changement. Rocky était membre fondatrice d’IndigiLez Leadership and Support Group. 

En 2016, à la Cour suprême de Brisbane, l'ancien juge de la Haute Cour, Michael Kirby, a cité le nom de Rocky lorsqu'il a loué le travail du service juridique de la communauté LGBTI au fil des années. Rocky s'est engagée très fermement en faveur des droits humains de la communauté « LGBTIQBBSG », elle a repoussé les limites et induits des changements de manière respectueuse et aimante.

 

Rocky Malone, Australia
Body

Snippet FEA WE ARE LEGAL AND ALWAYS WERE (ES)

España

Sindicato OTRAS

 

SOMOS LEGALES Y

SIEMPRE LO FUIMOS

Values - intersectionality

Interseccionalidad

Creemos que para que los movimientos feministas sean transformadores y sólidos debemos seguir trabajando en nuestras similitudes y diferencias. También debemos cuestionar el poder y los privilegios, tanto dentro como fuera de nuestros movimientos.