Mary Pais Da Silva

#IWD2025 🧵: Honouring Women Human Rights Defenders – A Legacy of Resistance, A Future of Inclusion On this International Women’s Day 2025, we stand in full solidarity with Women Human Rights Defenders (#WHRDs) across Africa and beyond who continue to resist oppression, challenge systemic injustice, and fight for gender equality—often at great personal risk. We also honour Norah Kobusingye @KobusingyeNora, the @whrdinitiative 2024 Africa WHRD of the Year, for her fearless stand against corruption and systemic oppression. Today, we are in #Uganda for the #AfricaWHRDAward ceremony, celebrating her heart work with her community and reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding WHRDs across the continent. #CelebrateWHRDs #SafeguardWHRDs Read our full statement:

@RedhacRedhac has been a tireless force, spotlighting human rights abuses in Cameroon—where the world has turned a blind eye. As the government unjustly suspends their operations, we must raise our voices even louder. This is not just about REDHAC; it is about defending the space for human rights defenders everywhere. We stand in solidarity with REDHAC and demand: 📢 The immediate lifting of this unjust suspension. 📢 Protection for civic space in Cameroon. 📢 Accountability for those who silence defenders of justice. The work REDHAC does is too important to be silenced. It is time to stand together, show our support, and demand the justice that Cameroon’s human rights defenders deserve. Read the full statement and see all the signatories: africandefenders.org/stand-with-red… #StandWithREDHAC @UN_Cameroon

As the world observes Human Rights Day on 10 December, Africa faces rising human rights violations. @Pais_Mary, Human Rights Defender, Attorney, a& Co-Founder @whrdinitiative, joins @PeterNdoro a& @AurelieKalenga to discuss the threats & challenges on the continent #RiseandShine

Honouring Mam’ Fikile Ntshangase: Courage, Justice, and A Legacy Sustained by Nature Today, @whrdinitiative honours the legacy of Mam’ Fikile Ntshangase, a courageous woman human rights defender who sacrificed her life in the fight for environmental justice and community rights. Her bravery and steadfast commitment to protecting the land, nature, and people of Somkhele continue to inspire us. As we commemorate her, we renew the call for justice and vow to carry forward her mission for a sustainable future rooted in courage and dignity. 🔗 Link to Full Statement: linkedin.com/posts/whrdinit… @ForstMichel @RuralWomen3 @Pais_Mary @naturaljustice @LifeAfterCoal @FundHumanRights @rachaelmwiks @EnvDefenseFund @WHRDhub @WHRDIC @macua_sa @ALLRISElegal @WoMin_Africa @Sophie_Mokoena @vanessa_vash @WangariMaathai @MaryLawlorhrds @CIVICUSalliance @SaveSacredLands @landcoalition @ALLIEDdefenders @WHRDconvention @whrds_at_risk @AfricaDefenders @AfricanWHRD #SafeguardWHRDs #WHRDs #RuralWomen #LandRights #justiceforFikile

Our space starts soon. Set a reminder for it here! x.com/i/spaces/1BRJj… @WHRDSomalia @WHRDhub @WalpeAcademy @RfldOrg @WemUganda @SOMWIM1 @achpr_cadhp @Pais_Mary @MaryLawlorhrds @africanngos @WHRDIC @FordFoundation @OpenSociety @DefendDefenders @DefendersKE @sshrdNetwork @IM_Defensoras @ElliotOrizaarwa @eva_tarie @samkebusiness @ke_phele @mamacash @Ginitastar @namataik_ @NwoesR @ProtectHRDs

X Space Alert! Join us for a powerful discussion on resilience and #HumanRights advocacy. Date: October 3rd, 2024 Time: 18:00hrs CAT Topic: The Power of Resilience in the Face of Adversity: How do #WHRDs harness resilience to persist in their fight for human rights? As we countdown to the Africa WHRD Convention 2024 @WHRDconvention in Accra, Ghana (November 28-30), we invite you to join this insightful space hosted by the African Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders @whrdinitiative featuring @ElliotOrizaarwa and @MoreTebe, moderated by @Pais_Mary. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from inspiring WHRDs and connect with like-minded individuals. Register now for the convention: tinyurl.com/AWHRDConvention And set a reminder for the space here: x.com/i/spaces/1yNxa… #SafeguardingWHRDs #AfricaWHRDConvention2024 #BeyondResilience #ConventionCountdown #AWHRDC2024 #HumanRights #Advocacy

🚨 Urgent Conversation Alert!🚨 Join us for a powerful discussion on the Deportation and Extradition Risks facing Human Rights Defenders and Pro-Democracy Activists—focusing on the critical situations in Kenya & Uganda. 🗓️ When: 5th September @ 18:00Hrs (EAT) 📍 Where: ✖Spaces via link to Twitter Spaces x.com/i/spaces/1eaKb… #ElectionsAndRuleOfLawSeries Don’t miss this chance to stand in solidarity and learn how we can protect those on the front lines of justice. Your voice matters! @ICJKenya @tsunga_arnold @donalddeya @civicspaceaf @Pais_Mary @kathryn_omega

MEET OUR ABLE SPEAKERS MARY PAIS DASILVA Justice Systems and Electoral Integrity Thursday 8 August 2024 2-4pm CAT 3-5pm EAT 12-1pm GMT Link: twitter.com/i/spaces/1OyKA…

We are deeply disturbed by the arbitrary arrest and forced disappearance of Woman Human Rights Defender (#WHRD), Namatai Kwekweza @namataik_ who was forcibly removed from a plane by state security agents this afternoon. Namatai's dedication to #HumanRights and justice is commendable, and her abrupt detention raises serious concerns about the respect for fundamental freedoms in #Zimbabwe. We urgently call for her immediate release and a thorough investigation into her whereabouts, safety, and well-being. The protection of #WHRDs is essential for upholding democracy and human rights for all. #ReleaseNamatai #SafeguardingWHRDs @weleadteam @MaryLawlorhrds @Ginitastar @SADC_News @_AfricanUnion @amnesty @HRF @FordFoundation @KofiAnnanFdn @AfricaDefenders @africanngos @OsloFF @UN @JusticeDefend @vanyaradzayi @achpr_cadhp @TamukaKagoro77 @wlsazw @advocatemahere

We spoke with two extraordinary activists from #Eswatini (Swaziland) -- @BlackMambaV and @Pais_Mary -- to discuss the recent sentencing of pro-democracy MPs to prison as well as the broader context of repression in Africa's last absolute monarchy. Listen: youtube.com/watch?v=kZg-rA…