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.
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.
We work collaboratively with international and regional networks and our membership
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.
To share your lived experience with mobilizing funding for your organizing
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Kasia has been supporting the work of feminist and social justice movements for the last 15 years. Before joining AWID, Kasia used to lead policy and advocacy for ActionAid and Amnesty International while organizing with feminists and social justice groups in Poland for access to abortion and against violence on the European borders. Kasia is passionate about resourcing feminist organizing in all their boldness, richness and diversity. She shares her time between Warsaw and her DIY community village in the forest. She loves saunas and is crazy about her dog named Wooly.
Metzineres
L’enquête est disponible en français, anglais, arabe, espagnol, portugais et russe!
Faye es una apasionada feminista panafricana, que trabaja activamente en diversos movimientos por los derechos de las mujeres, la justicia racial, los derechos de las personas migrantes y los derechos laborales, y por la justicia ambiental. Su activismo se basa en el legado de la lucha contra el apartheid en Sudáfrica y las consecuencias de la era del apartheid en Zimbabue.
En 2019, Faye se sumó a AWID como Directora de Finanzas, Operaciones y Desarrollo y dedicó sus esfuerzos a garantizar que AWID defienda los principios y valores feministas en todas sus operaciones. Aporta más de 20 años de experiencia en liderazgo y estrategias feministas y en todos los aspectos de las finanzas y el desarrollo institucional.
Faye es una comprometida integrante de la Junta de Urgent Action Fund Africa (UAF- Fondo de Acción Urgente África) y otras organizaciones por los derechos de las mujeres. Anteriormente, desempeñó funciones de Directora de Finanzas y Operaciones en Paediatric Adolescent Treatment for Africa (Tratamiento Pediátrico y Adolescente para África) y JASS - Just Associates Inc., en Sudáfrica. Asimismo, ocupó roles directivos en International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), en África central y meridional. Posee una licenciatura en Ciencias Contables de la Universidad de Sudáfrica y forma parte del Instituto Sudafricano de Gestión Contable Empresarial.
Care as the foundation of economies
The COVID-19 pandemic put the global crisis of care into sharp focus and demonstrated the failures of the dominant economic model that is decimating essential public services, social infrastructures and systems of care around the world.
Cozinha Ocupação 9 Julho, the Association of Afro-Descendant Women of the Northern Cauca (ASOM) and Metzineres are only some examples of caring economies that center the needs of marginalized people and nature, as well as the reproductive, invisibilized, and unpaid care work required to ensure the sustainability of our lives, societies and eco-systems.
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.
Juhi est passionnée de technologie, titulaire d'une licence en génie informatique de l'Université Technologique du Gujarat et d'une formation de troisième cycle en télécommunications sans fil et en gestion de projet du Humber College. Passionnée par la résolution de problèmes et aimant garder une longueur d'avance dans un paysage technologique en constante évolution, Juhi s'est retrouvée à naviguer dans divers secteurs en tant que technicienne informatique. Grâce à l'environnement stimulant de la School Board, Juhi a eu l'occasion d'appliquer ses compétences techniques dans divers contextes, relevant toujours de nouveaux défis avec enthousiasme. Au-delà du code et des circuits, Juhi aime les aventures de la vie. Explorer de nouveaux lieux et cultures constitue pour elle une bouffée d’air frais. Qu'il s'agisse de découvrir des trésors cachés de la ville, d'essayer des cuisines exotiques ou de se lancer dans des sports d'aventure palpitants, Juhi est toujours partante pour de nouvelles expériences.
Le principal objectif de l’enquête WITM est de faire la lumière sur la situation financière de divers mouvements féministes, de défense des droits des femmes, pour la justice de genre, de défense des personnes LBTQI+ et des mouvements alliés dans le monde entier. Sur cette base, nous souhaitons démontrer l’importance d’orienter davantage de fonds, de meilleure qualité, et de transférer le pouvoir vers les mouvements féministes.
Jessica is a queer artist- activist from Toronto, Canada, but is currently based in Bulgaria. Jessica has over 15 years experience in the HIV response working at the intersections of gender and HIV with key populations (sex workers, women who use drugs, LGBTQI communities, incarcerated people and of course people living with HIV). Jessica loves movement building and thinking/taking/strategizing about arts-based interventions. One fun project she started in 2013 was LOVE POSITIVE WOMEN that engages over 125 community groups and organizations globally every February 1-14th to celebrate women living with HIV in their communities.
