The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor discussed women human rights defenders’ work during conflict and their contributions to promoting peace before the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural). During the session, Lawlor stated that while women and LGBTIQ+ persons’ perspectives must be regarded during conflict, threats of physical violence such as sexual assault, abduction, and murder online and in real life have effectively prevented women and LGBTIQ+ persons from participating in public discussions and the public sphere. Additionally, women who speak out on the conflict face the possibility of gendered smear campaigns to silence them.
Compiled from: "Third Committee Highlights Spike in Conflict-Related Torture, Expresses Concern over Gendered Disinformation Threat to Women, Human Rights Defenders," United Nations, Oct. 12, 2023.