DefendDefenders

As we continue our #SheDefends campaign this week, we are taking time to highlight regional and international human rights mechanisms and legal frameworks designed to support and protect women’s rights, as well as the women human rights defenders working to advance them. Take some time to watch our Senior Programs Officer, Walda Keza Shaka, as she explains how to engage with the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa. In this video, she elaborates how these mechanisms can be used by women human rights defenders in practice to advance justice and strengthen their protection. #SheDefends

As we mark Eid, we are mindful that for many across our region and the world, this moment of celebration comes amid ongoing conflict, displacement, and uncertainty. In this season of reflection, compassion, and giving, we pray for lasting peace, justice, and dignity for all those affected. We also recognise and honour human rights defenders who continue to stand firm in the face of adversity—working tirelessly to protect fundamental freedoms, support affected communities, and uphold justice, often under immense pressure and risk. Their courage and resilience remain a source of inspiration and hope. May this Eid bring renewed strength, healing, and solidarity, and may it inspire continued commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all. Eid Mubarak. Ciid wanaagsan!

🇺🇳Civil society and Indigenous Peoples play a vital role in the UN human rights system. ⚖️Join this discussion on why safeguarding their space matters—especially in times of reform and global crises. 📍 Palais des Nations, Room XI (UN Geneva) 🎥 Live-streamed #HumanRights

During the #HRC61 debate on the most serious human rights situations (item 4⃣ GD) today, we raised the alarm about risks of an internationalisation of conflicts in #Sudan & #SouthSudan and of a regional conflict between #Ethiopia & #Eritrea. ❝ Throughout the Horn of Africa, human rights scrutiny is vital. Mechanisms that are in place, such as the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea and inves­ti­gative bodies on Sudan & South Sudan, should be extended, and this Council should act to re­instate the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia or establish a new mechanism on Ethiopia. ❞ ➡️ Full statement: defenddefenders.org/oral-statement… 🇺🇳 🇪🇷 🇪🇹 🇸🇸 🇸🇩

🇺🇳 #HRC61 continues in Geneva. Today, during a general debate on item 3⃣, DefendDefenders presented its report on the #RightToProtest, ❝ They Won’t Silence the People ❞, which was launched during its 20th anniversary celebrations (November 2025). ▶️ Download the report: defenddefenders.org/wp-content/upl… 🔍 ▶️ Full statement delivered today: defenddefenders.org/oral-statement… ✊✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 #Mozambique🇲🇿 #Senegal🇸🇳 #Tunisia🇹🇳 #Uganda🇺🇬 x.com/DefendDefender…

🗣️ A thread for DefendDefenders’ oral statements at the UN Human Rights Council’s 6⃣1⃣st session 🧵 We start with SUDAN 🇸🇩 — today, during an enhanced interactive dialogue (EID), our Executive Director @Hassan_Shire took the floor to: 🔸 Urge states to act on 3⃣ fronts: civilian protection, constraints on per­pe­trators, and accountability. 🔹 Stress the distinct value of each mechanism work­ing on Sudan. 🔸 Encourage complementarity & coordination and suggest thematic areas for future UN reports. ❝ The patterns documented, in particular the Fact-Finding Mission’s findings of ‘hallmarks of genocide’ against non-Arab communities, are a stain of the cons­cience of humankind. ❞ 🗒️ Read/Download full statement (& other #HRC61 statements): defenddefenders.org/oral-statement… 🇺🇳 #Sudan

Our Executive Director, @Hassan_shire , and Director of Programs and Administration, @MemoryBandera, were delighted to join the @IrlEmbUganda in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day last week. The evening offered a wonderful opportunity to appreciate Irish culture and heritage. We value the partnership and continued support for our work.

As a champion and advocate for the rights of women and girls, @Nathanchumba reminded men of the critical role they can play in advancing justice for WHRDs. He highlighted that men must speak out whenever they witness harassment, discrimination, or victim-blaming, and use their positions to support WHRDs rather than dominate spaces. As male allies, he stressed the importance of intentionally creating opportunities for women human rights defenders to speak and participate, amplifying their voices and ensuring their protection and recognition. #SheDefends

In response to a question on legal empowerment, “From your experience, how would you gauge the level of legal empowerment among women human rights defenders (WHRDs), and what challenges do they face when trying to access justice for themselves or the communities they support?” Mery reflected on the limited legal empowerment among WHRDs, particularly at the grassroots level. While Ethiopia has ratified several regional and international human rights frameworks and guarantees fundamental rights through its Constitution, she noted that there is still no specific law directly protecting women human rights defenders, and the weak implementation of existing laws often makes access to justice difficult. Mery highlighted additional barriers, including limited legal awareness, inadequate legal aid services, weak institutional capacity to handle gender-sensitive cases, and entrenched social and cultural norms. These factors often push women toward informal mediation instead of formal justice mechanisms. She also emphasised that these challenges intensify in conflict and displacement settings, leaving significant gaps in accountability, enforcement, and access to justice for women and girls, despite efforts by civil society to provide legal awareness and support. #SheDefends

Let’s recap yesterday’s X Space #SheDefends conversation on advancing justice for women human rights defenders (WHRDs). Our Director of Programs and Administration, @MemoryBandera, opened the discussion by reflecting on her experience engaging with women human rights defenders(WHRDs) across the region. She highlighted how many WHRDs, especially those working in rural communities, often carry out critical work under immense pressure, sometimes without knowing that regional and international protection mechanisms exist to support them. Through the story of a rural WHRD documenting land rights violations, Memory emphasised an important point: legal frameworks like the Maputo Protocol and the African Commission Human and Peoples’ Rights can only make a difference if WHRDs know about them and feel able to access them.

As we wrap up week two of our #SheDefends campaign, we look forward to our X Space discussion this afternoon on advancing justice for women human rights defenders (WHRDs) who defend the rights of others. Join the conversation using the link below: x.com/i/spaces/1oJMv… #SheDefends

Guiding the conversation will be our Director of Programs and Administration, @MemoryBandera, an international development professional with experience in advancing human rights, governance, and civil society strengthening across Africa. Join us for this important conversation as part of the #SheDefends campaign.

Also joining the discussion is Nathan Chumba, a human rights defender from Kenya and a champion for the rights of women and girls. #SheDefends

We are in week two of our #SheDefends campaign! As part of our ongoing conversation on advancing justice for WHRDs defending the rights of others, join us this Friday, 13 March 2026, for a special X Space discussion moderated by our Director of Programs and Administration, @MemoryBandera. Together, we’ll explore: 1. Legal and social barriers to justice for WHRDs 2. Effectiveness of regional and international legal frameworks(laws and policies) 3. Recommendations to strengthen protection and access to justice 📅 Date: Friday, 13 March 2026 ⏰ Time: 1:30 – 3:00 PM East African Time (EAT) Be part of the conversation and together let us advance justice and protection for WHRDs!