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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.

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Meet Clemencia Carabalí Rodallega, an extraordinary Afro-Colombian feminist.

She has worked relentlessly for three decades towards the safeguarding of human rights, women’s rights and peace-building in conflict areas on the Pacific Coast of Colombia.

Clemencia has made significant contributions to the fight for truth, reparations and justice for the victims of Colombia’s civil war. She received the National Award for the Defense of Human Rights in 2019, and also participated in the campaign of newly elected Afro-Colombian and long-time friend, vice-president Francia Marquez.

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No puedo presentar una propuesta escrita, ¿aceptan otros formatos?

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Como expresión de nuestro compromiso con hacer que todos los aspectos del Foro AWID sean accesibles, aceptaremos propuestas en forma de audio/video cuando se trate de personas/organizaciones/grupos que no puedan enviarlas por escrito. Si decides enviar tu propuesta en formato de audio/video, por favor responde las preguntas en el mismo orden en que aparecen en el Formulario para Presentar Actividades.

Para presentar un archivo de audio/video, por favor escríbenos utilizando nuestro formulario de contacto. Seleccione «propuesta de actividad» como asunto de mensaje.

Contactanos

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Activistas de Metzineres en acción

¿Qué incluye el costo de inscripción?

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El costo de inscripción para el Foro de AWID cubre, para todxs lxs participantes:

  •  Pleno acceso a los cuatro días del Foro
  • Almuerzos y pausas para café/té durante los días del Foro
  • Materiales de consulta
  • Interpretación simultánea durante las plenarias y algunas sesiones/actividades subsidiarias determinadas (inglés, francés, español e idioma local)
  • Participación en la cena/fiesta de celebración
  • Aplicación móvil con programa definitivo y función de chat
  • Servicio de wi-fi gratuito dentro del área de Foro
  • Traslados desde/al aeropuerto y transporte hotel-sede-hotel.

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About Where is the Money? research

The global survey is a key pillar of the third iteration of our action-oriented research: “Where is the Money for Feminist Organizing?” (in short, Where is the Money or WITM). The results of the survey will be further elaborated and explored through in-depth conversations with activists and funders and cross-referenced with other existing analysis and research on the state of funding for feminists and gender equality globally. 

The full “Where is the Money for Feminist Organizing” report will be published in 2026.

To learn more how AWID has been shining a light on money for and against feminist movements check out the work of our Resourcing Feminist Movements Initiative here.

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ENGAGEZ-VOUS!

Vous pouvez suivre le travail de ces collectifs sur les réseaux sociaux et sites internet suivant:

No puedo asistir al Foro en persona: ¿en qué otra forma puedo participar?

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Más que un simple evento, el Foro de AWID es parte de nuestro Viaje de Realidades Feministas, con muchos espacios en los cuales reunirse, en línea o en forma presencial, para compartir, discutir, elaborar estrategias, y crear conjuntamente realidades feministas.

Infórmate sobre el Viaje de Realidades Feministas y sobre todo lo que sucederá en este Viaje antes del Foro. ¡Y mantente sintonizadx para los anuncios post-Foro!

Estamos estudiando opciones para la participación virtual en el Foro, y compartiremos la información cuando sepamos qué podemos ofrecer.