GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (HRNW) — Amnesty International and a coalition of human-rights organizations are preparing a week-long advocacy programme bringing women human rights defenders from around the world to Geneva to strengthen their engagement with the United Nations human-rights system.
The Women Human Rights Advocacy Week, scheduled for September 21–25, will provide participants with practical training on how the UN Human Rights Council works and how defenders can use international mechanisms to raise human-rights concerns in their communities.
Amnesty International said the initiative is designed to amplify the voices of women defenders who are working on issues including climate change, corporate accountability, land rights and community protection.
The programme is being co-organized by nine human-rights organizations and will give participating defenders an opportunity to learn advocacy techniques, understand UN procedures and engage directly with international human-rights institutions.
According to Amnesty, many women human-rights defenders face significant risks while carrying out their work, including threats, intimidation and pressure linked to their advocacy.
The organization said the Geneva programme is intended not only as training but also as a platform for defenders to tell their own stories and strengthen international solidarity around their work.
The initiative comes as civil-society organizations increasingly seek greater participation by grassroots defenders in international decision-making processes.
Amnesty said the women attending the programme are defending communities against a range of threats, including environmental destruction, corporate exploitation and land dispossession.
The advocacy week is expected to place women’s rights defenders directly within discussions at the UN Human Rights Council and provide them with tools to pursue accountability and policy change.
The programme highlights the continuing role of civil society in bringing local human-rights concerns to international institutions and strengthening protection for people who defend human rights.
Support Appeal
HRNW appeals to readers, civil society organizations, governments and human-rights supporters to strengthen independent human-rights journalism and public awareness through the World’s No.1 dedicated Human Rights News Agency.
Support HRNW – World’s No.1 dedicated Human Rights News Agency
Disclaimer
This article is based on information published by Amnesty International concerning the Women Human Rights Advocacy Week. HRNW reports the programme and the organization’s stated objectives and does not independently verify all statements concerning risks faced by individual participants.
