The
Human Rights Council of the
United Nations recently held its annual day of discussion on women’s rights, focusing this year on violence against women and the efforts and protection of women human rights defenders (HRDs). Special Rapporteur on violence against women Rashida Manjoo moderated the panel on violence. The discussion highlighted sexual violence, the challenges of tailoring reform efforts to specific cultures, and the displacement of victims and their families.
The second panel, moderated by Human Rights Council President Laura Lasserre Dupuy, focused on the difficult and sometimes dangerous role of female HRDs, who may face threats, stigma, imprisonment, sexual assault, beatings or even death because of their work. The discussion centered around the best ways to create policies and legislation to protect women HRDs, female journalists, and other women who face violence because of their role as advocates or defenders. Another discussion on women HRDs brought attention to the specific, gender-based violence that these women face.