Women human rights defenders (WHRD) do the same work as their male counterparts, and face many of the same challenges and threats as a result. However, women face additional obstacles and threats on account of their gender.

In many societies women are not expected to speak out and challenge the status quo. Women human rights defenders suffer threats, stigma, social rejection and worse, not only because they are promoting and defending the rights of others, but also because they are women doing that work.

In Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico and Nepal women defenders face additional pressure and discrimination because of their gender and because they challenge entrenched discrimination and accepted norms of behaviour. Indigenous women and women from rural areas are among those most at risk.

Almost half the human rights defenders PBI accompanies are women.

PBI is a member of the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition