Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 23
Paragraph
Paragraph text
In this regard, the mandate holders have reiterated on several occasions that women defenders are more at risk of suffering certain forms of violence and other violations, prejudice, exclusion, and repudiation than their male counterparts. This is often due to the fact that women defenders are perceived as challenging accepted socio-cultural norms, traditions, perceptions and stereotypes about femininity, sexual orientation, and the role and status of women in society. Their work is often seen as challenging "traditional" notions of the family which can serve to normalize and perpetuate forms of violence and oppression of women. This can, in certain contexts, lead to hostility or lack of support from the general population, as well as the authorities.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
Equality & Inclusion
Gender
Social & Cultural Rights
Violence
Person(s) affected
Activists
Families
Women
Year
2011
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
SR Human Rights Defenders, Report to the HRC (2011), A/HRC/16/44, para. 23.