U.S. celebrates International Women Human Rights Defenders Day

On Tuesday, November 29, the United States honors women human rights defenders.

President Joe Biden emphasized: “The world is a more peaceful, secure and prosperous place when women’s human rights are respected and they can participate fully in economic, social and political life.”

In a statement issued Tuesday, State Department spokesman Ned Price noted that women human rights defenders are often victims of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and violence based on gender, compounded by other characteristics: such as race, religion, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, self-expression or socioeconomic status.

“Acts of gender harassment, threats, and abuse create barriers to women’s full and equal participation in democracy and civic life,” Price stressed in a statement.

Despite these challenges, women human rights defenders play a leading role around the world in addressing issues that affect everyone, including fighting authoritarianism, advocating for democracy and equal political participation, seeking accountability and justice for human rights violations, protecting free and independent media, finding solutions to the climate crisis, and working toward a more sustainable future for all.

On International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, the U.S. pledged to continue working with partners and allies to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, and to increase women’s representation worldwide, including addressing systemic barriers to women’s participation in politics and public life.

“We remain committed to championing and supporting women human rights defenders in all their diversity and to continuing to emphasize the critical role they play in advocating for and ensuring the realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all,” Price assured.