Confronting Extractivism & Corporate Power
Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) worldwide defend their lands, livelihoods and communities from extractive industries and corporate power. They stand against powerful economic and political interests driving land theft, displacement of communities, loss of livelihoods, and environmental degradation.
Why resist extractive industries?
Extractivism is an economic and political model of development that commodifies nature and prioritizes profit over human rights and the environment. Rooted in colonial history, it reinforces social and economic inequalities locally and globally. Often, Black, rural and Indigenous women are the most affected by extractivism, and are largely excluded from decision-making. Defying these patriarchal and neo-colonial forces, women rise in defense of rights, lands, people and nature.
Critical risks and gender-specific violence
WHRDs confronting extractive industries experience a range of risks, threats and violations, including criminalization, stigmatization, violence and intimidation. Their stories reveal a strong aspect of gendered and sexualized violence. Perpetrators include state and local authorities, corporations, police, military, paramilitary and private security forces, and at times their own communities.
Acting together
AWID and the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD-IC) are pleased to announce “Women Human Rights Defenders Confronting Extractivism and Corporate Power”; a cross-regional research project documenting the lived experiences of WHRDs from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
We encourage activists, members of social movements, organized civil society, donors and policy makers to read and use these products for advocacy, education and inspiration.
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"Women Human Rights Defenders confronting extractive industries: an overview of critical risks and Human Rights obligations" is a policy report with a gender perspective. It analyses forms of violations and types of perpetrators, quotes relevant human rights obligations and includes policy recommendations to states, corporations, civil society and donors.
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"Weaving resistance through action: Strategies of Women Human Rights Defenders confronting extractive industries" is a practical guide outlining creative and deliberate forms of action, successful tactics and inspiring stories of resistance.
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The video “Defending people and planet: Women confronting extractive industries” puts courageous WHRDs from Africa, Asia, and Latin America in the spotlight. They share their struggles for land and life, and speak to the risks and challenges they face in their activism.
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Challenging corporate power: Struggles for women’s rights, economic and gender justice is a research paper outlining the impacts of corporate power and offering insights into strategies of resistance.
Share your experience and questions!
◾️ How can these resources support your activism and advocacy?
◾️ What additional information or knowledge do you need to make the best use of these resources?
Thank you!
AWID acknowledges with gratitude the invaluable input of every Woman Human Rights Defender who participated in this project. This project was made possible thanks to your willingness to generously and openly share your experiences and learnings. Your courage, creativity and resilience is an inspiration for us all. Thank you!
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En 1975 se publicó su primer libro, Ainsi Soit-Elle (que podría traducirse «Como ella es»). En él analizaba la historia de los derechos de las mujeres, así como la misoginia y la violencia contra las mujeres.
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КОМУ СТОИТ ПРОЙТИ ЭТОТ ОПРОС?
Опрос предназначен для групп, организаций и движений, работающих исключительно или главным образом по вопросам защиты прав женщин, ЛГБТКИ+, гендерной справедливости во всех контекстах, на всех уровнях и во всех регионах. Если одно из этих направлений является основным видом деятельности вашей группы, коллектива, сети или любого другого типа организации – независимо от того, зарегистрирована она или нет, недавно создана или существует уже давно, мы приглашаем вас принять участие в этом опросе.

* На данном этапе мы не ожидаем ответов от частных лиц или женских и феминистских фондов.
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Media Centre
AWID in the media
News compilation regarding AWID's work and organization.
- Is #MeToo a West-only movement?. Aljazeera, Jan 2018
- The principles of self-care. Sur Conectas, Dec 2017
- Change Through Humour! Meet Nidhi Goyal, India’s First-Ever Disabled Woman Comedian. The better India, Sep 2017
- Women are still targeted over fighting for human rights. Egypt today, Dec 2017
- Egypt: Hunting out Feminists in Egypt – Azza Soliman and Mozn Hassan Embody the State’s Refusal of Feminist Activism in both Private and Public Spheres. World Organization Against Torture, Jan 2017
- Access to land for indigenous women: an essential condition for eradicating gender violence. Intercontinental cry, Dec 2016
- Get Bangladesh women in unions to improve worker rights: campaigner. Reuters, Sep 2016
- Funding for women’s rights groups in poor countries falls by more than half. The Guardian, Sep 2016
- Men are 'allies to the cause' of equality for women, says campaigner. Reuters, Sep 2016
- Violent Extremist Groups Take Special Aim at Women, UN Official Says. Voa news, Sep 2016
- At a global forum of feminists, one thing is clear: it's where you live that counts. The Guardian, Sep 2016
- To End Malnutrition, Empower Women, Say Experts. News deeply, Jun 2016
- Gloria Steinem supports Salvadoran women in their fight against femicide. PR Newswire, Jun 2016
- Every hour, five women are killed by partners or family members. Left foot forward, Mar 2016
- Combatting Violence Against Women in Algeria: Mobilizing and Challenges. Reuters, Dec 2015
- When women human-rights activists are in danger, it’s women who come to their rescue. Vanity Fair, Jul 2015
- Another World Is Possible, Without the 1 Percent. Huffington Post, Mar 2015
- Use the power of the people to challenge the people in power!. New internationalist, Mar 2015
- Brazil: Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHRs) Challenged by Religious-Based Political Parties. Reuters, Oct 2013
- Why Economic Justice Is Central to LGBT Rights. Huffington Post, Jul 2012
Press releases
Press kits and statements
Social Media Kits
- A tribute to WHRDs who are no longer with us
- “Movements Matter” digital visual art series
- Brazil 2016 Forum Social Media Kit
Videos
Conferences, talks, seminars video recordings
| Impunity for violence against women defenders of territory, common goods, and nature in Latin America March 16, 2018 |
Rural women's resistance to closing civic space March 15, 2018 |
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| Empowering rural women in mining affected environments March 13, 2018 |
Feminist Perspectives on Accountability March 13, 2018 |
Gender Perspectives on Corporate Accountability March 12, 2018 |
Snippet FEA Audio Story 3 (ES)
Escucha la historia aquí:
Susana Chavez
Shireen Lateef
Figure inspirante pour de nombreux-ses féministes aux Fidji, Shireen était une alliée de poids du mouvement des femmes. Elle a plaidé sans relâche pour l'égalité de genre aux niveaux local et régional.
Ayant débuté sa carrière en tant que spécialiste de l’égalité de genre à la Banque asiatique de développement, elle a apporté des changements radicaux en matière d’égalité de genre aux politiques de l’institution. Sa recherche, intitulée « La règle des Danda : la violence domestique chez les Indo-Fidjiens », est l'une des premières recherches sur la violence domestique, le mariage et les femmes aux Fidji. Ce travail précurseur a servi de catalyseur pour la militance féministe dans ce domaine.
L’héritage de Shireen lui survit et beaucoup se souviennent de son influence, de son engagement et de son soutien au mouvement des femmes aux Fidji et dans le Pacifique.
Snippet - WITM To make - PT

Para dar ênfase à complexidade do financiamento de várias formas de organização feminista;
Merci d'avoir téléchargé la Boîte à outils des réalités féministes
En savoir plus sur les réalités féministes
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N'hésitez pas à nous contacter.
Snippet FEA how important essential workers are (FR)
La pandémie de COVID-19 a montré au monde l'importance des travailleur·euses essentiel·les. Nous parlons des personnes qui font le ménage, les travailleur·euses domestiques, les infirmier·ères, les d'ambulancier·ères, les personnes travaillant dans les transports, les supermarchés et autres. Leur travail consiste à prendre soin et à garantir le bien-être des autres et à faire fonctionner nos économies.
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Rhonda Copelon
Juana Ramírez Santiago
Juana was one of the founders and current Board Member of Red de Mujeres Ixiles de Nebaj, an Indigenous women’s rights organization that is a member of the Mesoamerican Initiative of WHRDs (IM-Defensoras).
She was also a midwife and a mother of 7 children. Juana had received death threats that were reported to the Prosecutor’s office. Juana is the third Indigenous WHRD murdered in the area during 2018. The Guatemala Ombudsman reports that a total of 20 HRDs were killed in the country this year.
Juana Ramírez Santiago was shot dead by unidentified attackers while crossing a bridge in Nebak, Quiché, Guatemala. Investigations to identify the perpetrators are ongoing.
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- COMPLEMENTAR: Contribui para os testemunhos existentes e aprofunda os mesmos sobre o estado de financiamento para a organização feminista, de direitos das mulheres e de justiça de género por ativistas, financiadores feministas e aliados
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Snippet FEA collaborator and allies Photo 4 (EN)
