Countering the Backlash: The Advocates Convenes Women’s Human Rights Defenders in Prague
The Advocates facilitated
an in-person meeting in Prague, Czech Republic of
women's human rights defenders.
Forty members of The Advocates'
new Global Women's Watch
coalition attended the convening
from 20 countries, eager to share
developments and news from their
countries about these attacks. Many
voiced their concerns that not only
is the space for civil society shrinking
and laws protecting women at risk of
violence regressing, but that extreme,
far-right politicians are gaining power
and office in many countries, such as
the recent elections in Italy.
The convening provided the
opportunity for activists to share
effective strategies to counter the
far-right movement and continue
defending women's rights. Many
of these activists work for frontline
NGOs serving victims of violence-
running shelters, going to court,
and providing counseling and other
direct services-leaving little room in the day to tackle the rising threats
of the anti-gender movement.
And, increasingly, activists in some
countries risk retaliation, threats, or
violence. The participants expressed
gratitude for the global solidarity the
network represents.
