Protecting Women Human Rights Defenders in a Shrinking Civic Space
14-12-2024
In 2021, Cordaid, Peace Brigades International, and WO=MEN published the Recommendations for the Protection of Women Human Rights Defenders, offering practical strategies for diplomatic missions. These recommendations have been recently reviewed, resulting in a concise summary of key findings, challenges, and updated recommendations.
The recommendations aim to foster an environment where Women Human Rights Defenders can carry out their critical work with adequate support, addressing gender-specific risks and responsibilities.
Key Recommendations:
- Enhance Embassy Support Mechanisms: Strengthen tools used by Dutch embassies to assist Women Human Rights Defenders, such as referrals, access to resources, and the provision of safe spaces.
- Address Emerging Threats: Tackle rising challenges like digital harassment and increasing backlash against gender equality. Robust and effective support for Women Human Rights Defenders is essential in a shrinking global civic space.
- Localise Protection Strategies: Through the Just Future programme, Cordaid and its partners collaborate with Dutch missions to develop locally tailored and context-specific protection measures.
- Sustain Advocacy Efforts: WO=MEN, PBI, and Cordaid continue to raise awareness and advocate for prioritising gender-responsive strategies to safeguard Women Human Rights Defenders.
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