International Women Human Rights Defenders Day
November 29 is the International Day for Women Human Rights Defenders. Launched in 2005 at the International Consultation on Women Human Rights Defenders in Sri Lanka as part of the 16 days of Activism against Gender violence, this day pays tribute to women human rights defenders, the work they do, and the risks they face in defending human rights. [1]
Their vocal presence in the male-dominated political and public realm of life, and their resistance to gender norms that restrict and violate their rights to political participation and association, place their lives at risk. Every day, women around the world face violence and threats for speaking out against human rights violations. In the remaining portion of this post I will highlight the stories of women human rights defenders as well as provide links to additional information on their work and how we can support their efforts.
The Global Sisterhood recognizes and highly values the work of these brave women and expresses solidarity with their efforts. We must support their efforts and do what we can to allow them to continue their work. I would like to add that, in addition to the women honoured in this post, thousands of women around the world are at risk of violence because they defend human rights. Whether they are lawyers investigating cases of human rights violations by governments, politicians in parliament fighting corruption and impunity, community health workers who support victims of violence, or one girl demanding her right to pursue an education, women who demand respect for their human rights and the rights of others deserve our support and respect.
Their vocal presence in the male-dominated political and public realm of life, and their resistance to gender norms that restrict and violate their rights to political participation and association, place their lives at risk. Every day, women around the world face violence and threats for speaking out against human rights violations. In the remaining portion of this post I will highlight the stories of women human rights defenders as well as provide links to additional information on their work and how we can support their efforts.
The Global Sisterhood recognizes and highly values the work of these brave women and expresses solidarity with their efforts. We must support their efforts and do what we can to allow them to continue their work. I would like to add that, in addition to the women honoured in this post, thousands of women around the world are at risk of violence because they defend human rights. Whether they are lawyers investigating cases of human rights violations by governments, politicians in parliament fighting corruption and impunity, community health workers who support victims of violence, or one girl demanding her right to pursue an education, women who demand respect for their human rights and the rights of others deserve our support and respect.
Malalai Joya - Afghanistan
Recently, the United Nations identified Afghanistan as the "worst place in the world to be born." [2] The UN indicated that Afghanistan has the "highest infant mortality rate in the world -- 257 deaths per 1,000 live births, and 70 percent of the population lacks access to clean water." [3] Children's right to education is also at risk, with "317 schools in Afghanistan . . . attacked in the past year, killing 124 and wounding another 290" [4], with evidence that girls' schools are being particularly targeted for attacks. The human rights situation for women in Afghanistan is also dire. Even though women now hold seats in parliament, "violence against women [has remained] endemic [and] women in public life are regularly threatened, and several have been assassinated." [5]
Malalai Joya is one of the most widely known women human rights defenders that brings attention to the daily struggles of Afghani citizens to survive. As a delegate from Farah Province at the Loya Jurga Constitutional Assembly in 2003, she spoke out against the presence and involvement of warlords at the Assembly and stated, "They oppress women and have ruined our country. They should be prosecuted. They might be forgiven by the Afghan people, but not by history." For these honest and brave comments, she was banished from the assembly.
Malalai Joya is one of the most widely known women human rights defenders that brings attention to the daily struggles of Afghani citizens to survive. As a delegate from Farah Province at the Loya Jurga Constitutional Assembly in 2003, she spoke out against the presence and involvement of warlords at the Assembly and stated, "They oppress women and have ruined our country. They should be prosecuted. They might be forgiven by the Afghan people, but not by history." For these honest and brave comments, she was banished from the assembly.
In 2005, Malalai Joya became the youngest person to be elected to the parliament in Afghanistan. Two years later, in May 2007, she was suspended from parliament for her criticism that the Afghani parliament was ineffective and not helping the Afghani people. [6] She has "survived at least four assassination attempts, and has been called the bravest woman in Afghanistan, where she still lives." [7] While in Afghanistan, she travels under the protection of armed guards and wears a burqa to keep from being recognized. She is a vocal opponent of President Hamid Karzai, recently re-elected in widely critized elections in Afghanistan this Fall, and a strong defender of women's human rights in her country.
Ms. Joya recently concluded a intercontinental book tour for her memoir "A Women Among Warlords", co-authored by Canadian writer Derreck O'Keefe. On November 26, she spoke in Ottawa, Canada, to a large group of people at Centretown United Church. When she spoke, she brought to the attention of her listeners the struggles of her people, in particular women and children. She talked about the thousands of civilians that have been killed since the U.S., Canada, and Britain sent troops to Afghanistan. She condemned the involvement of 'criminals, warlords, and druglords' in the Afghan parliament and spoke out passionately against the impunity afforded to perpetrators of sexual violence against women in Afghanistan. Ms. Joya also called for the withdrawal of foreign, including Canadian, troops from her country and stated that her country needs an "invasion of schools," not military forces.
What I found truly striking about her was that she hardly spoke about her own struggles and experiences; rather, she made it clear from the start that she considered herself only one woman among many who are struggling for peace and justice in Afghanistan. She is devoted to speaking out against injustices in her country even though it places her safety and life at risk. In a recent interview with the Globe and Mail she was asked, given the "attempts on your life . . . [and threats] to beat you and rape you for saying what you are saying. Are you afraid?" She replied "I fear political silence. I do not fear death." [8] Malalai Joya is one of the many Women Human Rights Defenders that this day pays tribute to. The Global Sisterhood honours and admires her determination and commitment to justice.
Rita Mahato works with the Women's Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC) to investigate and document "cases of sexual violence against women, and provides health and legal support to victims." [9] Investigating and documenting incidents of domestic and sexual violence and pressuring the police to arrest prepetrators has placed Rita and her colleagues at the WOREC at considerable risks. They pursue their work in a context where other defenders of women's human rights have been murdered for carrying out similar work. WOREC workers like Rita face discrimination as well as rape and death threats. In June 2007, the WOREC offices were attacked when "20 people threw bricks at the . . . office for two hours." [10] Despite the intimidation and threats, Rita and her colleagues at WOREC continue to investigate and document cases of sexual violence and speak out against violations of women's rights in their communities. To find out how you can write to Rita and her colleagues, as well as the Inspector General if Police in Nepal to urge for the protection of WOREC staff and an investigation into the attacks and threats against them, visit Amnesty International Canada's 'Write for Rights' website by clicking here. Past Amnesty International letter writing campaigns have helped to protect other human rights defenders, free political prisoners, and save lives.
Natalia Estemirova - Russia and Chechnya
On July 15, 2009, human rights defender Natalia Estemirova was abducted and murdered. Estemirova and her colleagues at the Russian human rights NGO Memorial in Grozny, Chechnya, investigated and documented human rights violations in Chechnya, "such as torture and other ill-treatment, unlawful killings and enforced disappearances, since the start of the second Chechnya war in 2000." [11] In an interview with Amnesty International in 2008, Estemirova stated "if you are a true human rights activist you are constantly violating the unwritten laws created by the Russian Government." [12]
Estemirova was aware that the work she and her colleagues at Memorial engaged in placed them at considerable risk. During an acceptance speech for a Human Rights Defender award she received from Human Rights Watch in 2007 she said that "in Chechnya, the government creates an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. Those who witness abuse keep silent, for if they speak they can soon become a victim." [13] She recognized the importance of their work and the role it played in fighting for justice for victims of human rights violations and ending government impunity. Natalia Estemirova's murder illustrates the risk that human rights defenders face every day for the work they carry out. To date, no one has been charged with her murder. Less than a month after the abduction and murder of Estemirova, Zarema Sadulayeva, head of the charity Save the Generations, and husband Alik Dzhabrailov were abducted and murdered in Grozny, Chechnya. [14]
These murders indicate not only the risks that human rights defenders and activists take, but also the importance of defending the defenders. You can help by responding to Take Action requests issued by organizations like Amnesty International, Defending Women-Defending Rights, and Front Line - Protection of Human Rights Defenders.
Sources
[1] Asia Pacific Foru on Women, Law and Development. 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, International Women Human Rights defenders Day November 29th Fact Sheet.
[2], [3], [4] Reuters. Afghanistan is world's worst place to be born: UN. November 20, 2009
[5] Human Rights Watch. For Afghan Women, Rights at Risk Again. August 18, 2009
[6] Human Rights Watch. Afghanistan: Reinstate MP Suspended for 'Insult'. May 22, 2007.
[7], [8] The Globe and Mail. The bravest woman in the country. November 19, 2009
[9], [10] Amnesty International, Canada. Protect Nepalese health advisor Rita Mahato from violence. Write for Rights campaign.
[11] Amnesty International. Human rights activist Natalia Estemirova murdered in Russia. July 16, 2009.
[12] YouTube, Amnesty International Canada. Human rights activist Natalia Estemirova murdered in Russia. July 16, 2009 [VIDEO]
[13] Human Rights Watch. Natalia Estemirova: Human Rights Defender Award Speech 2007. November 7, 2007.
[14] Reuters. Head of children's charity shot dead in Chechnya. August 11, 2009.
Additional Information and Resources
Defending Women-Defending Rights. Claiming Rights, Claiming Justice: A Guidebook on Women Human Rights Defenders. 2007 [PDF reader required to view link.]
Defending Women-Defending Rights Resources
Centre for Women's Global Leadership. Who are women human rights defenders?
Human Rights First. Women Defenders
Women for Women International. Helping Women Survivors of War Rebuild Their Lives.
Wikipedia page on Malalai Joya
The Washington Post. Human Rights Activist Natalya Estemirova Killed in Chechnya. July 16, 2009.
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