The Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRDIC) is a resource and advocacy network for the protection and support of WHRDs worldwide. Our axes are human rights and feminist movement perspectives.

Since our inception in 2005, we have built a membership primarily of women’s, human rights and sexual rights groups. Currently, we are composed of over 30 organisations from the global South and North, ranging from local, grassroots groups to large, international organisations.

Since its inception in 2005, the WHRDIC has made impressive progress directly with Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), in the broader human rights movement, and at the United Nations level. 

We have been instrumental in creating an identity category – Women Human Rights Defender, or WHRD – that activists find legitimising and empowering. We have been at the forefront of giving life to the UN Declaration on human rights defenders; our research and advocacy have changed the landscape of how human rights defenders, and specifically WHRDs, are seen and understood.

Some of the most significant victories achieved by the WHRDIC, in collaboration with HRDs and organisations around the world, are the adoption of the historic 2013 UN General Assembly resolution ‘Protecting Women Human Rights Defenders’ and the commemoration of the International Women Human Rights Defenders Day on 29 November.

WHRDs are women who engage in the defense of human rights, and people of all genders who engage in the defense of women’s rights and rights related to gender and sexuality.
WHRDs face risks some of which are specific to their gender. This adds a layer of nuance and complexity when seen alongside experiences of other defenders. They are much more likely to face sexual violence and abuse; conviction of ‘moral’ crimes; threats and violence against their children; defamation campaigns; and social isolation. WHRDs are targeted for who they are as well as for what they do.