Women defending human rights
| |
Women human
rights defenders from WOZA marching in Harare,
Zimbabwe
© WOZA |
Women play a central role in the global movement to
defend human rights. As active defenders, they promote and
protect human rights for all.
In every country, from all backgrounds, ages and
professions women human rights defenders demand basic
human rights for their families, their communities,
themselves and others. They tirelessly seek justice for
loved ones or colleagues who have been tortured, killed or
"disappeared" by government and non-government forces;
supporting countless survivors of human rights abuses and
their relatives in demanding justice, and protesting
against widespread impunity for violence against women.
Women defenders of human rights face specific
violations because of their gender and the issues they
address. They challenge cultural, religious and social
norms relating to the role of women in their communities
and in society as a whole. As a result, they find
themselves under the threat of violence. Especially women
from marginalized ethnic groups are frequently subjected
to harassment and repression - ranging from verbal abuse
to sexual harassment, rape, and murder.
Despite the risks and pressures, activists – men and
women – continue to defend women's human rights and women
from violence and confront discrimination.
One of these courageous human rights defenders is
Jenni Williams of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA). .
"Strike a woman and you strike a rock, we are
not going to be deterred."
Jenni has been arrested or detained by police in
Zimbabwe at least 15 times in the last two years. To her,
and other WOZA activists, the arrests are a symbol – a
potent reminder that exercising one's fundamental rights
in Zimbabwe can carry serious risk.
Read more about Jenni and WOZA's story
|
