The Fate of Women Human Rights Defenders: A Take on the UN Panel Discussion

This discussion is particularly topical given women HRDs (alongside environmental activists) were the activists most at risk of being killed in 2022. They are specifically the targets of smear campaigns and of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Not only are they targeted in this way in the public sphere by their opponents, but, as highlighted by Front Line Defenders at the event, also by family members that wish to reinforce and assert patriarchal values and gender norms onto their wives, daughters, sisters, etc. Therefore, Peggy Hicks, representing the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), highlighted that better measures are needed to protect women's HRDs, suggesting better protection networks (both online and in-person) and timely evidence-based responses. The need for these intervention programmes was later echoed by representatives from the African Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders, the Palestinian Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling, <a href="https://aninjusticemag.com/the-fate-of-women-human-rights-defenders-a-take-on-the-un-panel-discussion-9e0dd76ec4fc">Click Here</a>