African Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD Initiative)’s Post

Women’s Rights in Pakistan: A Closer Look In Pakistan, women lead the fight for equality and empowerment. The Aurat (Women) March rallies have brought thousands to the streets since 2018. Women’s rights activists and groups are working hard for safety, healthcare, and economic justice for Pakistan’s 101 million women. But, the journey to equality is tough, as shown by Pakistan’s low ranking in the 2021 Women, Peace and Security Index. Read More https://shorturl.at/fBZJI

‘As a women's rights advocate in Somalia, I've achieved milestones like boosting women's parliamentary representation and leading the Somali Women's Charter. Yet, passing crucial laws such as the Sexual Offenses Bill faced hurdles, including #disinformation and opposition from male leaders, stalling it in Parliament. My advocacy for the bill led to severe #online violence and #death #threats, highlighting the need for #global policies protecting women and holding social media accountable for addressing #GBV. Let's persist in our pursuit of justice and equality worldwide.’ Read the full article here Online Gender-Based Violence and a Path to Justice: Interview with Deqa Yasin | IPI Global Observatory (theglobalobservatory.org) #WomensRights #EndGBV #Leadership #OnlineSafety #Somalia #GenderEquality

👩 For International Women’s Rights Day, one of our female colleagues from Afghanistan shared the challenges women face and her personal experience after more than 25 years working with Tdh. Due to security reasons, we cannot mention her name. You can read the whole interview here: https://lnkd.in/eaawVz_3 #March8 #IWD2024 #InternationalWomensDay #Internationalwomensrightsday 

https://lnkd.in/eGPXn89H Key Points from the Panel Discussion on Women's Challenges and Opportunities for Women in the Middle East: Status of Women Across the MENA Region: Mixed progress and challenges. There is lower female participation in the labor force in some countries, with Jordan having notably low rates. Women outperform men in tertiary education but face barriers in labor market participation. Key Barriers and Progress: Legal, technical, and adaptive barriers impede women's workforce participation. Recent adjustments in maternity and paternity leave policies. Private sector challenges: hiring women, childcare services, and ongoing discriminatory practices. Women's Rights in Jordan: Focus on women's rights and participation in Jordan. Education is crucial, yet it does not fully translate into labor market success. Cultural and family dynamics are influencing women's employment decisions. Women Human Rights Defenders in the MENA Region: Advocating for their own rights and societal change. Facing discrimination, authoritarianism, and extra pressure due to their work. Challenges include closed civic spaces, draconian laws, and religious and community pressures. Women's Roles and Rights in Qatar: Significant progress in women empowerment. Historical context of women's education and emerging opportunities in fields like engineering. Political will to expand women's participation in various sectors. Saudi Arabia's Reforms: Significant reforms in women's social, economic, and political participation. New laws allowing women to drive and non-discrimination in the workplace. Women's increasing presence in entrepreneurship and tech startups. Impact of Conflict on Women: The Gaza-Israel conflict is affecting economic and gender development initiatives. Women are disproportionately affected in conflict areas, particularly in labor force participation. Iran's Women's Movement and Challenges: The Women's Life Freedom Movement highlights long-standing efforts for women's rights. State control over women's bodies and increased violence against women activists. Challenges in family planning and reproductive rights. International Community's Role and Double Standards: Criticism of the international community's approach to women's rights. Perceived double standards in supporting movements in different countries. Disappointment in international response to women's rights issues in conflict areas like Palestine. Regional Dynamics and Competitive Pressures: Influence of Saudi Arabia's reforms on other countries like Iran. Nationalist trends impacting regional solidarity and women's rights activism. Future of Gender Equality and Empowerment in the Region: The need for continued efforts towards gender equality and empowerment. Recognition of diverse challenges and progress in different countries.

Learn more about: 🔹Human Rights 🔹The UN Human Rights Council & its decisive decision on the situation of women & girls in #Afghanistan 🔹The Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, his report & roadmap for the way ahead Together, we can build a better tomorrow for women & girls. #TogetherTowardsTomorrow https://t.co/4P4BwMXnR2

📣 As we do every year, #GQUAL is calling on the The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Consultative Group to adopt #GenderParity guidelines ⚖ These guidelines are essential for maintaining, promoting, and institutionalizing gender parity and representation within the United Nations SpecialProcedures (SPs) and Expert Mechanisms (EMs). 📎 Access the letter: https://lnkd.in/dyQcugBy Gender parity in SPs and EMs was first achieved in 2022. However, at least 8 mandates have never been occupied by women. While progress is not without risks of setbacks, institutional measures are crucial for ensuring its lasting impact and sustainability. Achieving gender parity goes beyond just numbers; it’s about ensuring that women's voices are heard and represented.  The measures we are requesting are based on the recommendations from the 2021 The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Advisory Committee Report on Gender Balance in UN Human Rights Bodies (A/HRC/47/51). 📎 Access the report: https://lnkd.in/e3cT2gwZ Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck, IAWL ~ Institute for African Women in Law, Asia Justice Coalition, International Association of Women Judges, Elisa Fornalé, Mary Lawlor Paula Gaviria Betancur, Nazila Ghanea, , Astrid Puentes Riaño

🎬Got the chance to record this quick video to talk about refugees and women rights! ⚡️It's crucial that we continue to advocate for human rights issues on all platforms and at every opportunity. #iwd2024 #refugeesupport #womenrights #internationalwomensday2024 #investinwomen Focus Academy focus academy

How do ongoing conflicts in regions like #Ukraine, #Gaza, and #Sudan disproportionately affect women, and what urgent actions are needed to address their critical needs? Global Rights Defenders Human Rights Expert Jamilya N delves into the harrowing realities faced by women amidst global conflicts. Discover the stark realities women endure during conflicts worldwide and what essential measures we must demand from our leaders to safeguard women’s rights. #humanrights #womensrights #endviolenceagainstwomen #GRDcommunity #blogpost #article https://lnkd.in/e6K3wyHj

I am happy to share my latest publication about women's rights advancement and the role of The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Universal Periodic Review (UPR)! This article primarily highlights the key findings of my dissertation. Coincidentally, the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council kicks off today and during this session, the UPR outcome reports of some states will be adopted! #UnitedNations #UNHRC #UPR #HRC57

On International Women's Day yesterday, I found myself reflecting on a radio show I hosted back in 2022 during Women's History Month. During the broadcast, I delved into the critical provisions of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2011. Sections 19 to 21 of this act serve as a vital framework, criminalizing FGM and imposing penalties on perpetrators. One pivotal moment I highlighted was the constitutional petition filed in 2017 by a public health professional in Kenya, challenging the anti-FGM law's constitutionality. This petition underscored the importance of legal frameworks in protecting the rights of women and girls. I was heartened when a three-judge bench of the High Court in Nairobi upheld and validated the constitutionality of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2011. This decision marked a significant step forward in safeguarding women's rights and promoting positive cultural norms. Today, the conversation around FGM remains as crucial as ever, particularly in light of recent developments. The proposed bill in The Gambia's parliament, aimed at lifting the ban on female genital mutilation, is deeply concerning. Such regressive legislation threatens to undermine the progress we've made in protecting the rights and well-being of women and girls. As we mark International Women's Day and Women's History Month, let's recommit ourselves to advocating for the eradication of harmful practices like FGM and standing firm in defense of gender equality and human rights. #internationalwomensday2024 #internationalwomensmonth #inclusion #equality