Women human rights defenders across the world are fighting for positive change in their communities within an increasingly violent global context. They share many challenges experienced by their male counterparts but face additional obstacles because they undermine the status quo twice over: through their work in its own right, and through their implicit challenge to accepted norms about the role of women in society.
PBI provides direct protection and support to women human rights defenders to keep them alive and help their activism thrive. Our international volunteers accompany at-risk activists, standing shoulder to shoulder with them in a display of solidarity that deters violent attacks. We also provide longer-term support – from security monitoring and psychological assistance to communications and capacity-building training.
This is paired with multi-level advocacy aimed at creating favorable security, policy and political environments for women defenders to work within. At a global level, we build networks that can be mobilized at short notice to provide much-needed support. We also provide defenders with a platform to amplify their voices and ensure that their calls for rights and freedoms are heard by those who can make a difference.
Today, we shine a spotlight on a few of the brave women human rights defenders we accompany in the graphics below.
