The Centre for Applied Human Rights has a long-standing relationship with the UN special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. In recognition of CAHR’s expertise in the emerging protection regime for human rights defenders at risk the Centre provides regular technical support to the mandate.
Report on the situation of women human rights defenders
On Thursday 28 February 2019, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Michel Forst, presented the Report on Women Human Rights Defenders to the Human Rights Council. The report reviewed the situation of women human rights defenders focusing in particular on the additional gendered risks and obstacles they face. Led by Alice Nah, the HRD Hub provided research support to Michel Forst on the preparation of this report.
Referring to the normative framework for the work of women human rights defenders, the report discussed the challenging environments in which women HRDS operate and analysed the impact of patriarchy and heteronormativity, gender ideology, fundamentalisms, militarisation and globalisation and neoliberal policies on the rights of such defenders.
Addressed to all stakeholders, the report outlined eight priority areas for building diverse, inclusive and strong movements of women human rights defenders to ensure that women defenders are supported and strengthened to promote and protect human rights.