WHRDIC is a global resource and advocacy network comprised of 28 organisations working to defend women human rights defenders (WHRDs). The network includes Amnesty International, Front Line Defenders, and Human Rights First. WHRDIC provides many support services to human rights defenders, including: tools, resources and analysis to WHRDs to enable them to be effective advocates in their communities, countries, and internationally; the maintenance of an online directory of organisations that can assist WHRDs; the publication of case studies documenting the landscape in which WHRDs live and work; and the issuance of public statements drawing attention to specific cases. For example, in October 2014, the Coalition issued five press statements relating to the treatment and protection of WHRDs. In March 2014 the Coalition published a report entitled Our Right To Safety: Women Human Rights Defenders’ Holistic Approach To Protection which illustrates the complex situations that WHRDs face when they are threatened with violence because of their work.
According to Amnesty International, the programme deals with many cases where WHRDs are engaged in environmental and land rights advocacy. For example, the Coalition issued a press release in October 2014 that described intimidation, harassment and violence against a community of women in Thailand who are asserting their right to stay on land that is being used as a palm oil plantation. Another statement the Coalition issued in October 2014 addressed the “sham” trial of and threats to a Mexican WHRD who had been campaigning against the use of indigenous territory for the installation of wind power generators.
More information on the coalition and its efforts to protect WHRDs can be found on WHRDIC’s website: http://defendingwomen-defendingrights.org.