In every corner of the globe, from the wind-swept plains where indigenous leaders protect ancestral lands to the high-tech hubs where digital activists expose surveillance, women human rights defenders (WHRDs) are the invisible architecture of a more just world. They are the individuals who refuse to look away when dignity is compromised, the ones who stand in the gap between authoritarian overreach and the survival of democracy. Their work spans the most critical issues of our era: climate justice, the integrity of elections, the rebuilding of war-torn communities, and the fundamental right to live free from discrimination. Yet, as these women drive the engine of progress, the world is witnessing a chilling paradox: the more effective they become, the more they are targeted for elimination.
The modern landscape for women activists is increasingly treacherous. According to recent global surveys, a staggering 57 percent of organizations report that the risks facing women human rights defenders and activists are on the rise. This is not merely a matter of increased workload or political friction; it is a matter of life and death. In 2024 alone, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) documented the killings of 56 women human rights defenders, journalists, and trade unionists within conflict-affected nations. Experts warn that this number is likely a conservative estimate, a mere fraction of the true toll, as many deaths go unrecorded in regions where the rule of law has fractured. These are not random acts of violence; they are calculated attempts to decapitate social movements by removing their most vocal and effective leaders.
The threats facing these women are multifaceted and deeply gendered. Unlike their male counterparts, WHRDs often face a double burden of persecution. They are targeted not only for what they do—their activism—but for who they are. In many societies, their very presence in the public sphere is viewed as a transgression of traditional gender roles. This leads to a unique spectrum of violence that includes sexual assault, threats against their children, and sophisticated online smear campaigns designed to destroy their reputations and social standing. As authoritarianism rises globally, many states have moved to criminalize the work of these women, using “foreign agent” laws or anti-terrorism legislation to delegitimize grassroots organizing.
This systemic hostility is occurring against a backdrop of shrinking civic space and a disturbing trend of “gender backlash.” We are currently living through a period where human rights commitments, once thought to be settled, are being selectively upheld or openly rolled back. Nearly one in four countries now reports an organized backlash against women’s rights. This regression is not accidental; it is a coordinated effort to dismantle the progress made over the last several decades. From the overturning of reproductive rights to the exclusion of girls from education in certain regimes, the frontline of this battle is being held by women who refuse to retreat.
The financial reality for these movements is equally dire. At a time when their work is most needed, funding is evaporating. Deep cuts to international aid and a shift in donor priorities have left many feminist and women-led organizations on the brink of collapse. Research indicates that while WHRDs are among the most powerful drivers of gender equality—proven to be more effective at securing legislative changes and ending violence against women than almost any other factor—they remain chronically underfunded. The “At Risk and Underfunded” report highlights a grim irony: the world praises the courage of these women in speeches while simultaneously cutting the flexible, direct funding that allows their organizations to survive.
Despite this atmosphere of siege, the resilience of women human rights defenders remains the world’s most potent source of hope. From the grassroots level to the halls of international power, their efforts have been the primary catalyst for every major advancement in women’s rights over the last half-century. Whether it is the indigenous women in the Amazon who have successfully halted predatory mining projects or the youth activists in the Middle East demanding a seat at the peace table, their leadership is redefining what power looks like. They do not just demand change; they embody it, creating inclusive models of leadership that prioritize collective well-being over individual gain.
The international community is now at a crossroads. As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the gap between rhetoric and reality has never been wider. The UN Secretary-General’s “Clarion Call” for gender equality serves as a stark reminder that the protection of WHRDs is not an optional act of charity; it is a collective moral and legal responsibility. When a woman human rights defender is silenced, the entire community loses a shield against injustice. When her civic space is closed, the light of democracy grows a little dimmer for everyone.
To reverse this tide, the global response must be as coordinated as the attacks themselves. UN Women, working in tandem with the broader UN system and civil society partners, is calling for a radical shift in how the world supports these defenders. It is no longer enough to offer moral support after a tragedy has occurred. Protection must be proactive and systemic. This starts with Member States adopting and enforcing laws that specifically protect WHRDs and recognize the legitimacy of their work. It requires an end to the culture of impunity; those who target, harass, or harm women activists must be held accountable in a court of law.
Furthermore, the model of international funding must be revolutionized. The current system often favors large, bureaucratic NGOs while bypassing the small, grassroots groups where the most impactful work happens. WHRDs need flexible, multi-year funding that can be used not just for projects, but for security, mental health support, and digital protection. We must move away from a transactional model of aid and toward a partnership model that trusts women to know what their communities need most.
The evidence is undeniable: when women human rights defenders are safe and funded, societies are more peaceful, economies are more resilient, and the environment is better protected. They are the early warning system for the erosion of rights; by watching how a state treats its women activists, one can predict the future of its democracy. Their struggle is the litmus test for the global commitment to human rights.
As we look toward the future, the message from the international community must be unwavering. We must amplify the voices and the expertise of these defenders, ensuring they are not just “consulted” but are leading the conversations that shape policy. We must stand with them not only when it is politically convenient, but especially when it is dangerous to do so. The courage of WHRDs fuels the progress of humanity. Without them, the march toward equality doesn’t just slow down—it falters and fails. UN Women stands in solidarity with these guardians of justice, recognizing that their survival is inextricably linked to the survival of the very idea of universal human rights. The task ahead is clear: it is time to protect the protectors.
