{"id":1543120,"date":"2024-03-08T15:30:01","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T15:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/humanrightsdefenders.blog\/?p=26210"},"modified":"2024-03-08T15:30:01","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T15:30:01","slug":"march-8-2024-was-again-international-womens-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2024\/03\/08\/march-8-2024-was-again-international-womens-day\/","title":{"rendered":"March 8, 2024 was again International Women\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Like every year, many organisations used the occasion to focus on the role of women human rights defenders. Here a selection of this year’s actions [for earlier posts see: https:\/\/humanrightsdefenders.blog\/tag\/international-womens-day\/<\/a>]: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global Voices<\/strong> has released a special coverage called Empowering voices: Women in politics<\/a>, which explores the state of women\u2019s political participation around the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human Rights First<\/strong> referred to a new report<\/a> reveals that WHRDs face increasing harassment and threats from a global movement against gender equality and LGBTQI+ rights. The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation<\/a>, a leading feminist women\u2019s rights organization, released Hope and Resistance Go Together: The State of Women Human Rights Defenders 2023, <\/a> a report that found discouraging growth in harassment of WHRDs.  The foundation surveyed 458 women\u2019s and queer rights activists and interviewed 25 activists representing WHRDs from 67 countries affected by violence or conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They found that 75% reported facing harassment for their activism, a 15% increase from two years ago, and 25% of respondents have received death threats. Most harassment comes from government authorities, but increased harassment from far-right groups and anti-gender equality actors is also driving these startling statistics. Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) across the world face resistance and violence. In 2022, at least 401 HRDs were killed<\/a> for their peaceful work. But some of the obstacles facing WHRDs are distinct. https:\/\/humanrightsfirst.org\/library\/recognizing-women-human-rights-defenders-on-international-womens-day\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human Rights Watch<\/strong> on 7 March carried a piece by Macarena S\u00e1ez<\/a> who says inter alia:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On this International Women\u2019s Day, we march for the one in three women<\/a> who experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. We cheer for countries like Argentina<\/a>, Colombia<\/a>, and Ireland<\/a> that value our autonomy to choose to be pregnant and have legalized access to safe abortion<\/a>, while protesting that abortion is still or again illegal in many places, including US states like Alabama and Texas<\/a>. At the same time, we march to honor the women who marched before us, like the Mexican women who organized the first feminist congress<\/a> in 1916 to push for family law reforms and their right to vote, and the Nigerians who waged their \u201cWomen\u2019s War<\/a>\u201d against colonization and patriarchal laws in 1929. Their struggles sadly mirror the reality of many women around the world today \u2013 especially women who belong to historically marginalized groups \u2013 who continue to rally against violence and abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fearing the power of women\u2019s solidarity and collective actions, governments have  stifled women\u2019s speech<\/a> through restrictions on movement, censorship, smear campaigns, and criminal prosecutions. In highly repressive contexts, like Afghanistan<\/a> and Iran<\/a>, women suffer arbitrary detention, and even enforced disappearance and torture, for their activism. Meanwhile, social media companies<\/a> have not done enough to protect women from online violence, chilling<\/a> women\u2019s freedom of expression on and offline.    These barriers make it hard for women\u2019s equality to become reality. Gender justice requires an enabling environment<\/a> in which women can express themselves, speak and spread their political views, and participate in political and public life. Instead of repressing or tolerating the repression of women, governments should recognize our collective actions \u2013 and consequent power \u2013 and enshrine our rights in laws, policies, and practice. [https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2024\/03\/07\/womens-voices-have-power-drive-change<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amnesty International<\/strong> on 8 March highlighted three prominent women who reveal why sexual and reproductive rights are a major human rights issue : Charlotte Bunch, USA<\/u> Leila Hessini, Algeria<\/u> Marge Berer, UK<\/u> [https:\/\/www.amnesty.org\/en\/latest\/campaigns\/2024\/03\/three-prominent-women-reveal-why-sexual-and-reproductive-rights-are-a-major-human-rights-issue\/<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 8 March 8, 2024 Almyra Luna Kamilla and Rosalind Ratana \u2028opined in IMHO<\/strong> on “Navigating the storms of repression: The resilience of young women rights defenders in Asia<\/strong>” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"[OPINION]<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In recent years, Asia has been witnessing rising authoritarianism and shrinking<\/a> civic space. Among those in the frontlines of resistance are young women human rights defenders. As we celebrate International Women\u2019s Day, let us demand for an enabling world where women human rights defenders can continue their noble pursuits without fear of reprisals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Thailand, the royal defamation law is being excessively<\/a> used to silence criticisms against the monarchy. Meanwhile in Sri Lanka, economic and political mismanagement has sparked peaceful protests<\/a> that are met with violence and intimidation. The fate of Asia\u2019s political climate hangs by a thread as elections<\/a> are held across many countries, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, South Korea, and Pakistan. Now more than ever, governments across the region are finding ways to solidify their power, putting an even tighter grip on civil society to the detriment of democracy and people\u2019s fundamental rights and freedoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite such challenges, many are courageously speaking out and taking collective action to reclaim power for the people. This includes young women human rights defenders \u2013 or Youth WHRDs \u2013 who are claiming space to call out human rights violations and to demand accountability from oppressive governments. [https:\/\/www.rappler.com\/voices\/imho\/young-women-rights-defenders-asia\/<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Alliance for Human Rights in <\/a>Afghanistan<\/a> <\/strong>(a coalition of 9 major NGOs) urgently appealed to the international community to significantly bolster its support and actively safeguard the human rights of Afghan women and girls, including Afghan women human rights defenders who face persecution for their peaceful campaigns for rights and basic freedoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, the Taliban further intensified its oppressive policies toward women, girls, the LGBTIQ+ community, and religious minorities. Afghan women and girls have seen their rights and prospects increasingly curtailed, from greater enforcement of restrictions on education \u2013 including a ban on girls attending secondary schools and universities \u2013 to intensifying exclusion of women from political and public life<\/a>. Women have been banned from a growing list of forms of paid employment, and economic barriers<\/a>, such as the ban on women registering organisations<\/a> and undergoing vocational training<\/a>, have contributed to a sharp decline in women’s participation in the labour market, impeding their right to make a living. This exacerbates financial insecurity, widens gender disparities, and further confines women to the private sphere. Lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women face severe threats, including torture, sexual violence, forced marriage, and death. Victims of gender violence, including those who identify as such, lack minimal legal and practical support. Obstacles to healthcare<\/a> and education have exacerbated poverty and vulnerability among women and girls. In 2023, new discriminatory restrictions imposed by the Taliban included the closure of all beauty salons, blocking women from overseas travel for study, mandating female health workers in some areas to have a male chaperone while travelling or at work, and prohibiting women from entering a famous national park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a><\/a><\/a>The oppressive environment extends to female activists, NGO leaders and journalists. Notable cases include the arrests of women’s rights activists Neda Parwani and Zholia Parsi<\/a>, the enforced disappearance and subsequent discovery of Manizha Seddiqi<\/a> in Taliban custody to date, the arrest of Matiullah Wesa<\/a>, founder of an NGO advocating for girls\u2019 education rights, and the arbitrary detainment of Ahmad Fahim Azimi and Seddiqullah Afghan<\/a>\u2014both dedicated girls’ education activists, among many others. Journalists reporting on the Taliban, facing arrests and threats<\/a>, equally illustrate the difficulties encountered by the media, particularly women, when covering crimes against women or advocating for women’s rights. Collectively, these cases underscore the near-total denial of freedom of expression, gender equality, or any other internationally recognized right in Afghanistan under the Taliban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amid this growing oppression, segregation and fear, Afghan women human rights defenders have urged the international community to exert greater pressure on the Taliban. They call on international bodies to involve Afghan women in all negotiations with the Taliban and to facilitate direct meetings between women and the de facto<\/em> authorities to address their concerns. Afghan women have also stressed the importance of advocacy for women’s rights by external actors based on the voices and realities of women inside Afghanistan. They call for coordinated efforts between organisations inside and outside the country to defend the rights of Afghan women and girls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.omct.org\/en\/resources\/statements\/afghanistan-lifting-afghan-women-from-the-shadows-into-the-light-in-the-face-of-the-taliban<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan,<\/strong> Richard Bennett, called on the Taliban to release women human rights defenders as the world marks International Women\u2019s Day.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I reiterate my appeal to the Taliban to respect all the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, including to education, work, freedom of movement and expression, and their cultural rights, and I urge the meaningful and equal participation of Afghan women and girls in all aspects of public life. I call on the Taliban to immediately and unconditionally release all those who have been arbitrarily detained for defending human rights, especially the rights of women and girls.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.ohchr.org\/en\/statements\/2024\/03\/afghanistan-un-expert-calls-taliban-release-women-human-rights-defenders<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 8 March, Civil Rights Defenders <\/strong>presented 4 woman human rights defenders and asked them to share their message to women around the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“The future is women.” \u2013 International Women\u2019s Day 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>