Struggles of the Women Human Rights Defenders
Yesterday, I attended the parallel event at CSW69 organised by the Feminist Registry Republik in partnership with the Urgent Action Fund, Open Society Foundations, Foundation for a Just Society and the Government of Canada. It was a profoundly eye-opening experience that delved deeply into the challenges faced by feminist and women human rights defenders (WHRDs). The event’s focus, “From Data to Feminist Analysis,” emphasised how essential comprehensive data collection is for understanding and addressing crises affecting Women Human Rights Defenders.
What particularly resonated with me was the detailed research highlighting who the perpetrators of violence against WHRDs actually are. According to findings presented, the primary perpetrators are community members and, shockingly, family members themselves. As one participant from Ghana shared, “Our struggle isn’t only against unknown assailants or state actors; our greatest battles often lie within our homes and communities.”
Women from Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo courageously shared testimonies that reflected similar experiences in their countries, emphasising the importance of recognising that crises take multiple forms—not only physical violence but also economic violence, denial of land rights, democratic crises, shrinking civic space, and environmental degradation.
The observation from one panelist particularly struck me: “Perpetrators have grown sophisticated—they’re weaponising laws and policies against us.” It reinforced the reality that violence against WHRDs is not always overt. Increasingly, the strategies deployed to silence women activists are subtle, sophisticated, and institutionalized. These insights resonate deeply with the recent report on WHRDs in Africa, highlighting the multilayered nature of discrimination and violence that defenders face daily.
Reflecting on this experience, I realise even more profoundly the necessity of collective action, international solidarity, and the critical need for states to adhere to and implement protective legal frameworks effectively. The safety and recognition of women human rights defenders should never be an afterthought; it must be central to our fight for a just, equitable, and peaceful society. I commend the efforts by organisations like the African Feminist Republik Registry, whose research gives visibility to these often invisible struggles. As Navi Pillay, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, highlighted in a recent report, “Women Human Rights Defenders continue to be victims of deep inequality, discrimination, and abuse. They are frequently the targets of social and political hostility.” It is imperative to challenge and dismantle the structures that perpetuate such injustices.
