Women Human Rights Defenders' Security Strategies: Insist, Resist, Persist, Exist

The report brings us the voices of women human rights defenders from all over the world. It is based on over 100 interviews with WHRDs. Each woman speaks from her personal experience of combating violence and discrimination in complex contexts - in situations of overt or hidden conflict, organized armed violence as well as rising fundamentalisms in Iran, Colombia, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Algeria, Tunisia, Bosnia, Serbia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

All over the world women defend the rights of individuals and communities facing oppression, discrimination and violence. Their work is powerful and controversial. And it is often met with bitter and violent opposition.

Most women human rights defenders are well aware of the risks that they face. Activists know, from painful experience, the price that many pay for putting their bodies, and their families, on the line. No one takes these risks lightly, but many accept them as part of the work.

The report is the result of a collaboration between Kvinna till Kvinna, Frontline Protection of Human Rights Defenders (Ireland) och Urgent Action Fund (US).