Global Assault on Women’s Rights Activists Escalates Urgently

URGENT UPDATE: A shocking report released today reveals a dramatic surge in attacks on women human rights defenders (WHRDs) worldwide. The CIVICUS 2025 People Power Under Attack report indicates that civic freedoms are collapsing, with conditions worsening for individuals in 83 countries, up from 67 just five years ago.

The analysis, released on December 15, 2025, highlights the stark decline in the global population living in nations where civic freedoms are respected—only 7% of people now enjoy these basic rights, compared to 13% in 2020. The report underscores an alarming trend: WHRDs are facing unprecedented levels of violence and repression, a situation fueled by rising authoritarianism and anti-rights movements.

Numerous WHRDs, including Pakhshan Azizi and Narges Mohammadi, are currently at significant risk, facing harsh penalties in countries like Iran. Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been imprisoned multiple times for her advocacy work. Other notable cases include Chow Hang-Tung in Hong Kong and Marfa Rabkova in Belarus, both of whom have been unjustly detained for their commitment to human rights.

The report details a chilling environment where WHRDs are subjected to online intimidation, threats, and physical violence. Women journalists, in particular, are being targeted not only for their work but also for their gender, as anti-rights networks spearheaded by populist leaders seek to undermine their efforts.

CIVICUS’s Stand As My Witness Campaign reveals harrowing stories of WHRDs who have faced violent arrests and inhumane treatment. The testimonies include accounts of women activists being dragged from their homes and denied basic rights while in custody, reflecting a systemic failure to protect those fighting for justice.

The document emphasizes that the restriction of freedoms, both online and offline, poses a severe threat to accountability and human rights. As Reylynne Dela Paz, Advocacy Lead at CIVICUS, states, “The intensifying repression of civic space demands coordinated and sustained action to defend and support the work of activists, human rights defenders, and journalists.”

This urgent situation calls for immediate action from international and regional human rights institutions. There is a pressing need for gender-transformative policies that safeguard the rights of WHRDs and hold those responsible for abuses accountable. The current landscape requires a united front against misinformation and disinformation campaigns that threaten to undermine gender justice efforts.

The Sustainable Development Goals, established in 2015, underscore the importance of gender equality in achieving sustainable development, yet progress has stalled amid escalating violence against those advocating for these rights. With the stakes higher than ever, it is critical for the global community to stand with WHRDs, ensuring not just their recognition, but their safety and support in the face of increasing attacks.

As we confront these challenges, the plight of women defenders must be amplified and acted upon. Their voices matter now more than ever, as they continue to fight for peace, justice, and human rights across the globe. The world cannot remain silent as these advocates face brutal oppression. Immediate action is required to protect those who dare to challenge the status quo.