This open letter, available in Arabic, Dari, English, French, Pashto, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian below, was sent to all UN Member States on behalf of 481 civil society organizations across 92 countries in advance of the Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in October 2022. The letter calls on the UN, Security Council and Member States to take action to defend peace, human rights and gender equality.

Dear Ambassadors,

This year’s annual Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) will take place in a world marked by escalating and widespread conflict, flagrant attacks on women’s bodily autonomy and other fundamental human rights, fraying multilateralism, and a deeply divided Security Council. At this critical moment for women, girls and LGBTQI people in conflicts and crises around the world: we urge you to stand with women human rights defenders and peacebuilders, and take immediate action to defend peace, human rights and gender equality. (1)

Since last October, we have witnessed how men’s wars have destroyed women’s lives. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the displacement of countless women and violation of their rights, all while they have been excluded from efforts to negotiate peace. This deeply gendered crisis has further entrenched militarized masculinity and will have a devastating impact on women and girls well beyond this conflict’s borders. The Taliban, who have controlled Afghanistan for over a year, have decimated the rights of women, including their right to move, work, access education, and participate in public life. They have attacked, sexually assaulted and directly threatened LGBTQI people in Afghanistan on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Meanwhile, the international community has failed to successfully ensure that the Taliban respect human rights, pursue inclusive governance, or set the country on a path to peace. Parties responsible for brutal acts of sexual violence against women and girls in northern Ethiopia have yet to be held accountable. Millions of women and children in Syria’s northwest, who depend on cross-border humanitarian assistance, will live in uncertainty for the next few months as humanitarian groups face an impossible task with fewer resources and more limitations.

Yet, despite barriers, beatings, bombs and bullets, women human rights defenders, peacebuilders and advocates for gender equality continue to mobilize for peace. Courageous women activists in Myanmar continue to risk execution, arrest, sexual violence and torture to demand democracy. Despite being tortured, arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared, Afghan women have boldly taken to the streets to demonstrate against the Taliban’s repressive rule. Sudanese women are once again at the forefront of protests against the military coup, risking incarceration and sexual violence. From Indigenous women leaders who are assassinated for defending their lands and the environment in Colombia, to women activists and journalists who are targeted for their courageous work documenting human rights abuses in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, to women leaders who face sexual violence in retaliation for their activism in Yemen — women continue to defy patriarchy, militarism and authoritarianism, speak out against abuse and injustice, and lead their communities through crises.

These examples highlight exactly how fragile the rights of women, girls and other marginalized groups are in conflict, and yet, how fundamental they are for peace. The core mission of the WPS agenda, and of the UN Security Council — to ensure peace, prevent conflict and end war — cannot be achieved without them.

At this year’s Open Debate, we therefore urge Security Council members, Member States and the UN to honor the power of women human rights defenders and peacebuilders by taking action to uphold women’s rights and gender equality, and ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of diverse women in all aspects of peace and security. 

We urge all Member States to:

• • • Urgently step up preventive diplomacy in all conflict situations. As the primary international body responsible for peace and security, the Security Council must take decisive action to protect civilians, and prevent, suppress and punish genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Sign the Accountability Coherence and Transparency Group’s Code of Conduct (A/70/621) and pledge not to vote against a credible draft resolution before the Security Council aimed at stopping such crimes.
    • Respect, protect and fulfill all obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, including preventing and responding to all forms of violence and discrimination targeting diverse women, girls and all marginalized groups, by all parties to armed conflict. Defend gender equality and the human rights of diverse women and girls, including comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights, such as access to safe abortion, in all peace and security processes and Security Council outcomes.
    • Demand, politically support and fund diverse women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in all stages of peace processes, and ensure that gender equality and women’s human rights are a central part of peace agreements. The right to equal participation is not only firmly rooted in the principles of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the UN Charter and international human rights law, but a foundational demand of women civil society and Resolution 1325 (2000).(2) Meaningful participation means equal, direct, substantive and formal inclusion of diverse women so that they can influence the outcome of negotiations, as well as their implementation. In addition, as resoundingly called for by civil society and Member States, direct participation of diverse women must be a standard requirement in all UN-supported peace processes, so that the UN truly leads by example. Regularly review strategies developed to support women’s inclusion in UN-supported peace processes, as part of existing accountability processes, and make the results publicly available, in order to identify ways to ensure inclusion in the future. In addition, advocating for robust provisions on women’s rights and gender equality in peace agreements must be a collective responsibility of all actors.
    • Stop intimidation, attacks and reprisals against all women human rights defenders, peacebuilders and civil society leaders, and investigate and hold those responsible to account. Women must not face retaliation for their political participation, human rights work, peacebuilding, or cooperation with UN mechanisms, including the Security Council. Attacks and violence against women human rights defenders and peacebuilders should be monitored across the UN system and swiftly and publicly condemned by Member States and UN leadership when they occur. Member States and the UN must take all necessary measures to protect the lives of those at risk, including by ensuring that all peace operations provide comprehensive support to all human rights defenders in situations of conflict. Stop using risks and protection as excuses to limit women’s participation, and mobilize resources and explicit political support for their work to enable them to participate safely.
    • Fund local women-led and women’s rights organizations and ensure their participation and leadership in all aspects of peace and security, including in conflict prevention efforts and humanitarian assistance.
    • Fully support regular, diverse and independent civil society participation in the work of the Security Council. Ensure women civil society representatives — including individuals representing diverse ability, ethnic, racial, sexual orientation and gender identity backgrounds and perspectives — continue to regularly brief the Security Council during all relevant discussions, including country-specific meetings in line with Resolution 2242 (2015); that their independent selection and views are fully respected; and, most importantly, that their recommendations are acted upon.
    • Hold all actors — the Security Council, Member States and the UN — accountable for implementing and advancing the WPS agenda, at all levels, especially women’s participation. The Security Council should reject any actions or outcomes that undermine human rights or the core tenets of the WPS agenda. It must also ensure that all peace operations have comprehensive mandates to address WPS and that WPS is prioritized and fully resourced across the UN system. In addition, UN leadership, including UN Special Envoys, Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and principals of the UN’s Inter-Agency Standing Committee, must be held accountable for meaningfully reporting on, implementing and advancing the WPS agenda.
    • Reduce military spending and increase funding for gender equality and the global humanitarian response. Militarization undermines gender equality. All UN entities must meet the minimum target of 15% of funds being earmarked for programs that further gender equality and women’s rights in peacebuilding contexts by 2023, and increase the target to 30% in 2024 with a view to further increasing it in the future. Further, the Ukraine crisis has shown that the international community can rapidly mobilize and respond to humanitarian needs when there is political will — it is critical that the UN’s humanitarian response plans for other crises are addressed with similar urgency and are fully funded so that no needs go unmet.

Amidst the resurgence of authoritarianism, militarism, misogyny and backlash against the rights of diverse women, a ray of hope has been the increasing number of countries pledging feminist foreign policies, and Security Council members making strengthened commitments to implement the WPS agenda.

But we remind you not to mistake process for progress, or rhetoric for action. It is not enough to pledge commitment to the WPS agenda without delivering meaningful change for all women and girls living through the daily realities of war. At this year’s Open Debate, we urge you to show the same courage women human rights defenders and peacebuilders do on the frontlines of conflict every day, and match your words with action.

Sincerely,

1. NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (NGOWG) – Global
2. Amnesty International (AI) – United Kingdom, Global
3. Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) – United States, Global
4. Consortium on Gender, Security and Human Rights (CGSHR) – United States, Global
5. Cordaid – Netherlands, Global
6. Global Justice Center (GJC) – United States, Global
7. Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) – United States, Global
8. Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) – Netherlands, Global
9. Human Rights Watch (HRW) – United States, Global
10. International Alert (IA) – United Kingdom, Global
11. MADRE – United States, Global
12. Nobel Women’s Initiative (NWI) – Canada, Global
13. OutRight Action International – United States, Global
14. Oxfam International – Global
15. Refugees International (RI) – United States, Global
16. Women Enabled International (WEI) – United States, Global
17. Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) – Global
18. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – Global
19. “Agate” Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities – Armenia
20. “The Awakening” – Pakistan
21. 2+ Abortions Worldwide – United States
22. 300 Women Voices for Development (300WOVD) – Cameroon
23. Abortion Access Front (AAF) – United States
24. منظمة عبس التنموية لمراة والطفل (Abs Development Organization for Woman & Child (ADO)) – Yemen
25. ACCESS Reproductive Justice (ACCESSRJ) – United States
26. ACT for SOCIETY Center (AfS) – Albania
27. Act4transformation – Germany
28. Action for Girls and Women Survival (AGWOMSUR) – Liberia
29. Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) – United Kingdom
30. Action pour le Développement de l’Initiative Locale (ADILO) – Mali
31. ActionAid Australia – Australia
32. Actions pour la Lutte Contre les Injustices Sociales (ALCIS) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
33. Advocates for Youth – United States, Global
34. Afghan LGBT – Czech Republic, Global
35. Afghan Women’s Network – Afghanistan
36. Afghan Youth Ambassadors for Peace Organization (AYAPO) – Afghanistan
37. Afghanistan Justice Organization – Afghanistan
38. Afghanistan Peace and Development Association (APDA) – Afghanistan
39. African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) – Gambia
40. Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) – Nigeria, Global
41. منظمه احرار لحقوق الانسان والتنميه (Ahrar Organization for Human Rights and Development (OFHRD)) – Yemen
42. جمعية العطاء الخيرية (Al Ataa’ Charitable Society) – Palestine
43. Alianza de Hombres Contra la Violencia (AHCV) – Nicaragua
44. Alight (Formerly American Refugee Committee) – United States
45. Alliance for Choice (AfC) – Northern Ireland
46. Alliance for Gender Inclusion in Peace Process (AGIPP) – Myanmar
47. Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) – United States
48. Alliance for Women and Children Development (AWACD) – Liberia
49. مؤسسة السناء لحقوق الانسان (Al-Sanaa Foundation for Human Rights (SFHR)) – Iraq
50. Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma) – Thailand
51. Amal Chariot Foundation – South Sudan
52. منظمة الأمان لمناهضة التمييز العنصري (Aman against Discrimination (AAD)) – Libya
53. Armenian Committee of Helsinki Citizen’s Assembly (HCA-Armenia) – Armenia
54. ASEAN Feminist LBQ Network (AFLN) – Thailand
55. Asia-Japan Women’s Resource Center (AJWRC) – Japan
56. Asociación Colectivo Mujeres Al Derecho (ASOCOLEMAD) – Colombia
57. Assistance Mission for Africa (AMA) – South Sudan
58. Associação caboverdiana de luta contra violência baseada no Género (ACLCVBG) – Cabo Verde, Global
59. Associação para a Cooperação sobre População e Desenvolvimento (P&D Factor) – Portugal
60. Association de Lutte Contre les Violences Sexuelles et Appui à la Promotion du Développement Durable (ALUCOVIS-APDD) – Burundi
61. Association Dea Dia – Serbia
62. Association des Femmes Africaines pour la Recherche et le Développement (AFARD-MALI) – Mali
63. Association Development by Young People (ADYP) – Burkina Faso
64. Association Djazairouna des Familles Victimes du Terrorisme – Algeria
65. Association Femmes et Initiatives pour le Développement (FID) – Mali
66. Association Femmes Leadership et Développement Durable (AFLED) – Mali
67. Association for Farmers Rights Defense (AFRD) – Georgia, Global
68. Association for Promotion Sustainable Development (APSD) – India
69. Association Herasun – Mali
70. Association of War Affected Women (AWAW) – Sri Lanka
71. Association pour la Promotion Féminine de Gaoua (APFG) – Burkina Faso
72. Association pour la promotion, la protection et la défense des droits des Femmes “MUSOW DEME TON” (AMDT) – Mali
73. Association pour les victimes du monde (AVM) – Cameroon
74. Association tunisienne des femmes democrates (ATFD) – Tunisia
75. Azərbaycan Beynəlxalq Qadın Fondu (Azerbaijan International Women’s Fund (AIWF) – Azerbaijan, Global
76. Badael – Germany, Syria
77. مؤسسة بلادي لحقوق الإنسان (BELaady Organization for Human Rights (BHR)) – Libya
78. Bella Foundation for Child and Maternal Care (BEFCAMC) – Nigeria
79. Bolivian Women’s Efforts: Local contributions for a safer world (BWE) – Bolivia
80. Building Blocks for Peace Foundation (BBFORPEACE) – Nigeria
81. Business and Professional Women New Zealand (BPWNZ) – New Zealand
82. Cadire Cameroon Association – Cameroon
83. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) – Switzerland, United Kingdom
84. CamASEAN Youth’s Future – Cambodia
85. Cameroon Women’s Peace Movement (CAWOPEM) – Cameroon
86. Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW Canada) – Canada
87. Canadian Voice of Women for Peace (VOW) – Canada
88. Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan) – Canada
89. Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights – United Kingdom, Global
90. Center for Civil Society and Democracy (CCSD) – Syria
91. Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) – United States, Global
92. Center for Conflict Resolution (CECORE) – Uganda
93. Center for Migration, Gender, and Justice – Germany, Global
94. Center for Peace Education-Miriam College – Philippines
95. Center for Strengthening Community Voices (CSCOV) – South Sudan
96. مركز القانون الدولي الإنساني وحقوق الإنسان (Center of International Humanitarian Law & Human Rights (ICHLHR)) – Yemen, Global
97. مركز الدراسات الاستراتيجية لدعم المراءة والطفل (Center of Strategic Studies to Support Women and Child) – Yemen
98. Center to Assist and Protect Child Rights of Nepal (CAP-CRON) – Nepal
99. Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy gGmbH (CFFP) – Germany
100. Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ) – South Sudan
101. Centre for Social Education and Development (CSED) – India
102. Centre régional de recherche sur les droits de l homme (CERDHO) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
103. Centro de Educación e Investigación para la Paz (CEIPAZ) – Spain
104. Centro de Estudios e Investigación sobre Mujeres (CEIM) – Spain
105. Centro de Investigación en Género y Economía (Núcleo de Pesquisa em Gênero e Economia NPGE) – Brazil
106. Centro de Justicia y Paz (CEPAZ) – Venezuela
107. Centro Studi Difesa Civile (CSDC) – Italy
108. cfd / the feminist peace organization – Switzerland, Global
109. Chikka Federation of India – India
110. منظمة الق الطفولة (Childhood’s Brilliance Organization (CBO)) – Iraq
111. CIVICUS – South Africa, Global
112. Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR) – Indonesia, Global
113. Collectif des Femmes Rurales pour le développement (COFERD) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
114. Collectif Femmes engagées comoriennes de France (CFECF) – France
115. Collective Power for Reproductive Justice – United States
116. Colombia Diversa – Colombia
117. Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) – Myanmar
118. مشاركة المرأه فى صنع القرار (Committee to Support Women Participation in Decision Making) – Albania
119. Common Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND) – Cameroon
120. Community And Family Aid Foundation (CAFAF) – Ghana
121. Community Association for Vulnerable Persons (CAVP) – Cameroon
122. Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) – South Sudan
123. Community Welfare and Development Fund (CWDF) – Sri Lanka
124. Confluencias educacion – Peru
125. Congregation N.D de Charité du Bon Pasteur – Madagascar
126. Congregation of the Mission – Italy, Global
127. Coordinadora de la Mujer – Bolivia
128. Coordination Nationale des Associations des Jeunes pour la Lutte contre le SIDA (CONAJELUS) – Chad
129. Council for People’s Development and Governance (CPDG) – Philippines
130. Counselling Line for Women and Girls (CLWG) – Albania
131. Crown the Woman – South Sudan
132. Cush Consulting Group – United States, Global
133. CWIN Nepal – Nepal
134. Dali and Senda Association for Peace (DSAP) – Tunisia
135. Defis & Objectifs Centrafrique (DOC) – Central African Republic
136. Development without Limitation (DWL) – Lebanon
137. Dominican Leadership Conference (DLC) – United States, Global
138. Doria Feminist Fund – Lebanon
139. Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (DNF) – Nigeria
140. Dreikönigsaktion (DKA Austria) – Austria
141. Echoes Of Women In Africa Initiative (ECOWA) – Nigeria
142. EKTA – India
143. Empatiku Foundation – Indonesia
144. En Terre Indigene (ETI) – France
145. Entokozweni Advice Office and Victim Empowerment Centre – South Africa
146. EQUALITY for Peace and Development – Canada
147. Equality Fund – Canada, Global
148. Escola de Cultura de Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ECP) – Spain
149. Eti Mbono Gender Concerns Foundation (EMGCF) – Nigeria
150. European Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (ECR2P) – United Kingdom
151. Eve Organization for Women Development (EOWD) – South Sudan
152. Faudar Rural Educational Society for Harijans – India
153. Feminist Task Force (FTF) – United States, Global
154. Femmes Droits et Developpement en Afrique (WILDAF) – Mali
155. Femmes et Droits Humains – Mali
156. FIAN International – Germany, Global
157. FIDA Cameroon (International Federation of Women Lawyers) – Cameroon
158. Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) – Fiji
159. FL National Organization for Women (FL NOW) – United States
160. FOKUS – Forum for Women and Development – Norway, Global
161. Fond pour les femmes Congolaises (FFC) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
162. Fondation femme plus (FFP) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
163. Food4Humanity (F4H) – Yemen
164. Forum Feminist Future (FFZ) – Austria
165. Forum international des femmes de l espace francophone (FIFEF) – Democratic Republic of the Congo, Global
166. Fòs Feminista – Global
167. Franciscans International – Global
168. Frauennetzwerk für Frieden e.V. (FNF) (Women`s Network for Peace, Germany) – Germany
169. Free Yezidi Foundation (FYF) – Iraq
170. FRI – The Norwegian Organisation for Sexual and Gender Diversity – Norway, Global
171. Fundación Tremendas – Chile
172. Fundación Unidas: Mujeres Construyendo Tejido Social – Colombia
173. GALANG Philippines – Philippines
174. Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS UK) – United Kingdom, Global
175. Gender Centre for Research & Studies (GCRS) – Sudan
176. Gender Equality Network (GEN) – Myanmar
177. Gender-Centru – Moldova
178. Gender, Peace & Security – United Kingdom
179. منظمة غصن الزيتون للشباب (Ghasin-Alzaiton for Youth (GZY)) – Iraq
180. Girl Up Chikka – India
181. Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P) – United States
182. Global Fund for Women – United States, Global
183. Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF) – Ghana
184. Global Peace Film Festival (GPFF) – United States
185. Global Refugee Youth Network (GRYN) – Uganda
186. Gramin Punarnirman Sansthan (GPS) – India
187. Grassroots Women Network (GWN) – South Sudan, Global
188. Greater Orlando National Organization for Women (GO-NOW) – United States
189. Haakro Welfare Association – Pakistan
190. Hands Across the Divide (HAD) – Cyprus
191. Healthy and Free Tennessee (HFTN) – United States
192. Helping Vulnerable Communities Organization (HVCO) – Sudan
193. Héritiers de la Justice – Democratic Republic of the Congo
194. Himalayan Human Rights Monitors (HIMRIGHTS) – Nepal
195. Hope Advocates Africa (HADA) – Cameroon
196. Hope for the Needy Association (HOFNA) – Cameroon
197. Htoi Gender and Development Foundation (HTOI) – Myanmar
198. Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) – Myanmar
199. Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA) – Spain
200. I CAN South Sudan (ICSS) – Uganda
201. IDP Women Association Consent (IDPWA) – Georgia
202. Igarapé Institute – Brazil, Global
203. ILGA Portugal – Portugal
204. Iloilo Pride Team – Philippines
205. Impact Girls – South Sudan, Global
206. Impact: Center against Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence in Conflict – Netherlands, Global
207. Impunity Watch (IW) – Netherlands, Global
208. Indigenous Women Empowerment Network (IWEN) – Ghana
209. Indivisible Miami – United States
210. Initiatives des Femmes en Situations Difficiles pour le Développement Durable et Intégré (IFESIDDI) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
211. Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Loreto Generalate (IBVM/CJ NGO) – Global
212. International Action Network for Gender Equity & Law (IANGEL) – United States
213. International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) – United States, Global
214. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) – France, Global
215. International Network of Liberal Women – Netherlands
216. International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) – United Kingdom, Global
217. International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) – Uganda
218. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) – Switzerland, Global
219. International Women’s Anthropology Conference – Global
220. Ipas – United States
221. Iraqi Women Network – Iraq
222. Itach-Ma’aki – Israel
223. Iwate Rainbow Network – Japan
224. Jagriti Mahila Maha Sangh – Nepal
225. Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights – Iraq
226. Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) – North Macedonia
227. Jusoor Center for Studies and Development – Libya
228. Just Like My Child Foundation (JLMC) – Global
229. Justice Access Point (JAP) – Uganda
230. Kachin State Women’s Network (KSWN) – Myanmar
231. Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) – Thailand
232. Karama – Egypt, Jordan
233. Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) – Myanmar
234. جمعيه كفايه لتنميه الاجتماعيه النسويه (KEF) – Yemen
235. Key Populations Uganda (KPU) – Uganda
236. Kirmizi Biber Dernegi (KBD) – Turkey
237. Lanka Fundamental Rights Organization (LFRO) – Sri Lanka
238. Last Mile4D (LM4D) – United States, Global
239. Lawyers for Justice in Libya (LFJL) – Libya
240. LCN Network on Shelters for Women – India
241. Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) – Switzerland, Global
242. Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency (LNWDA) – Papua New Guinea
243. Ligue pour la solidarité congolaise (LSC) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
244. LM International (LMI) – Sweden
245. Louisiana Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (LCRF) – United States
246. Madhok Foundation – India
247. Make Mothers Matter (MMM) – France, Global
248. Malaysian Action for Justice & Unity Foundation (MAJU) – Malaysia
249. فتيات مارب (Marib Girls Foundation (MGF)) – Yemen
250. منظمة مزايا النسائية (Mazaya Women’s Organization) – Syria
251. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – Belgium, Global
252. Medical Students for Choice (MSFC) – United States, Global
253. MenEngage Global Alliance – United States, Global
254. Meri I Kirap Sapotim (Women Awake! Support!) (MIKS) – Papua New Guinea
255. Miami Coalition to Advance Racial Equity (MCARE) – United States
256. Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy (MEND) – Palestine
257. Military Women’s Memorial (MWM) – United States
258. Mina’s List – Global
259. Mitini Nepal – Nepal
260. Moluccan Council of Women (MVR) – Netherlands
261. Monash Gender, Peace and Security Centre (Monash GPS) – Australia, Global
262. Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) – Canada
263. Mother of Hope Cameroon (MOHCAM) – Cameroon
264. MSI Reproductive Choices (MSI) – United Kingdom, Global
265. Mujer ACIN – Colombia
266. Musaala Organization for Human Rights – Yemen
267. Muwatin Media Network – United Kingdom
268. Nassawiyat – Morocco
269. National Advocates for Pregnant Women – United States
270. National Alliance of Women’s Organisations (NAWO) – United Kingdom
271. National Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia (NACCSOL) – Liberia
272. National Council of Jewish Women Australia (NCJWA) – Australia
273. الشبكة الوطنية لمناصرة حقوق ذوي الاعاقه (National Network for the Rights of People with Disabilities (NNRPD)) – Yemen
274. National Organization for Women (NOW SL) – Sierra Leone
275. National Sudanese Women Association (NSWA) – Sudan
276. Nazra for Feminist Studies – MENA
277. New Women Connectors – Netherlands
278. ОО “Мадина” (NGO Madina) – Tajikistan
279. مؤسسة نداء للتنميه الانسانية (Nida Foundation for Human Development) – Yemen
280. هفته‌نامه نیمرخ (Nimrokh) – Afghanistan, Canada
281. Nisa Ul Haqq Fi Bangsamoro (NUHFB) – Philippines
282. North American Climate, Conservation and Environment (NACCE) – United States
283. Norwegian Afghanistan Committee (NAC) – Norway
284. Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) – Norway
285. Norwegian Human Rights Fund (NHRF) – Norway, Global
286. Observatorio de Género y Equidad (OGE) – Chile
287. ONGDH Forum de la Femme Ménagère (FORFEM) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
288. Operation 1325 – Sweden
289. Org Genera A.C. – Mexico
290. Organisation paysanne pour le développement durable – Democratic Republic of the Congo
291. Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies (DROPS) – Afghanistan
292. Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq (OWFI) – Iraq
293. PacificwinPacific – Australia
294. PAI – United States, Global
295. PAIMAN Trust – Pakistan
296. Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYOWI) – Liberia
297. Partners West Africa (PWA) – Senegal
298. Pathways for Women’s Empowerment and Development (PaWED) – Cameroon
299. PAX – Netherlands, Global
300. Pax Christi-Asia Pacific – Asia Pacific
301. منظمة بيئة السلام للتنمية (Peace Environment for Development (PEFD)) – Yemen
302. Peace Movement Aotearoa – New Zealand
303. Peace Track Initiative (PTI) – Canada, Yemen
304. PeaceWomen Across the Globe (PWAG) – Switzerland, Global
305. حركة السلام الدائم (Permanent Peace Movement (PPM)) – Lebanon, Global
306. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (Friends of Women) (PSWS) – Malaysia
307. Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) – Philippines
308. Phoenix Business Consulting – Ethiopia
309. Planet Ally – Australia
310. منتدى التنمية السياسية (Political Development Forum (PDF)) – Yemen
311. Population Institute – United States
312. Professor Laura J. Shepherd, FHEA, Professor of International Relations and Co-Director of the UKRI GCRF Gender, Justice and Security Hub
313. Professor Pamela Scully, Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Professor of African Studies and Advisor to the Provost, Emory University
314. Programa de género e inclusión Universidad Iberoamericana CDMX (IBERO) – Mexico
315. Programme d’Actions pour le Développement au Congo (PADCO) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
316. Progressive Voice – Myanmar
317. Protection Approaches – United Kingdom, Global
318. Qadims Lumiere – Pakistan
319. Qadın və Müasir Dünya Mərkəzi (Center for Women and Modern World) – Azerbaijan
320. Queer Hindu Alliance – India
321. Rafto Foundation for Human Rights – Norway, Global
322. Rainbow Community Kampuchea (RoCK) – Cambodia
323. Raise Your Voice Saint Lucia Inc (RYVSLU) – Saint Lucia
324. Reach Out Cameroon (REO) – Cameroon
325. RED de Mujeres y Hombres por una Opinión Pública con Perspectiva de Género en Campeche AC (REDMYH AC) – Mexico
326. Red Nacional Universitaria por la Equidad de Género en la Educación Superior UdeA (RENUEGES) – Colombia
327. Regional Centre for International Development Cooperation (RCIDC) – Uganda
328. Regional Deaf Women Initiatives Network (RDWIN) – Kenya
329. Religions for Peace (RfP) – United States, Global
330. Reproaction – United States
331. Reseau de Developpement des Femmes Pauvres (RDFP) – Rwanda
332. Réseau Genre et Droits de la Femme (GEDROFE) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
333. Réseau de développement et de communication des femme maliennes (RÉSEAU MUSONET) – Mali
334. Réseau Ouest Africain des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (ROADDH) (West African Human Rights Defenders’ Network (WAHRDN) – West Africa
335. Réseau Ressources Naturelles – Democratic Republic of the Congo
336. Rights for Peace (RfP) – South Sudan, Global
337. مؤسسة رووم لإعمار الأرض (Room Foundation (RF)) – Yemen
338. Roots & Transition (R&T) – Belgium, Global
339. Rural Area Development Programme (RADP) – Nepal
340. Rutgers – Netherlands
341. RW Welfare Society – Bangladesh
342. Saferworld – United Kingdom, Global
343. Sahayatrika (SHR Trust) – India
344. Sauti ya Mama Mukongomani (Congolese Women’s Voice) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
345. منظمة سازان للمرأة والحقوق الانسان (Sazan Organization for Women, Rights and Human Rights) – Iraq
346. She4Society Initiative (S4S) – Yemen
347. SHERo Mississippi – United States
348. Shifting the Power Coalition/GPPAC Pacific (StPC) – Fiji
349. Sisters of Charity Federation – United States, Global
350. Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace (CSJP) – United States, Global
351. Sisters Trust – Canada
352. Social Research and Development Institute (SORADI) – Somalia
353. Society for Orphan, Neglected and Youths (SONY) – India
354. Society of Local Volunteers’ Efforts-Nepal (SOLVE-Nepal) – Nepal
355. Solidarite des femmes, filles et enfants de la RDC pour le développement (solifede-RDC) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
356. Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Intégral (SOFEPADI) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
357. Soroptimist International (SI) – United Kingdom, Global
358. مؤسسة SOS للتنمية (SOS Foundation for Development (SOSFD)) – Yemen
359. South Sudan Women with Disabilities Network (SSWDN) – South Sudan
360. South-Eastern Women Development Association (SEWODA) – Liberia
361. Southern Africa Partnerships for the Prevention of Conflict Conflict Early Warning System (SAPPC CEWS) – Zimbabwe, Global
362. State Innovation Exchange (SIX) – United States
363. Stephanie Ortoleva, International Human Rights Lawyer and Consultant
364. Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) – Uganda
365. المنظمة السودانية للبحث و التنمية (Sudanese Organization for Research and Development (SORD)) – Sudan
366. الإتحاد النسائي السوداني (Sudanese Women Union (SWU)) – Sudan
367. Sukaar Welfare Organization (SWO) – Pakistan
368. Support for Women in Governance Organization (SWIGO) – South Sudan
369. Synergie des femmes pour les victimes des violences sexuelles (SFVS) – Democratic Republic of the Congo
370. Syrian Female Journalists Network (SFJN) – Syria
371. التجمع النسوي السوري (Syrian Feminist Society (SFS)) – Syria
372. Syrian Women’s Political Movement (SWPM) – Syria
373. مركز تفوق الاستشاري للتنمية (Tafawuq Consulting Center for Development) – Bahrain
374. Te Kaunihera Wāhine o Aotearoa (The National Council of Women of New Zealand) (NCWNZ) – New Zealand
375. TERRE DES FEMMES – Germany
376. The Conscious Lawyer (TCL) – United Kingdom, Global
377. The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP) – Gambia
378. The Gender Security Project (GSP) – India
379. The Global Sunrise Project – Canada, Global
380. The Haus – Fiji, Global
381. The Hunger Project (THP) – United States, Global
382. The Jo Cox Foundation – United Kingdom
383. The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation – Sweden, Global
384. The White Helmets – Syria, Global
385. The Women’s Centers (TWC) – United States
386. The Womxn Project (TWP) – United States
387. مؤسسة أكون للحقوق والحريات (To Be Foundation for Rights and Freedoms (TOBERF)) – Yemen
388. Trans Alive initiative Uganda (TAIU) – Uganda
389. Trans4orm Network – Ghana, Niger
390. Українська асоціація дослідниць жіночої історії (Ukrainian Association for Research in Women’s History (UARWH)) – Ukraine
391. UltraViolet (UV) – United States
392. UNA-USA, San Diego – United States
393. Union de l’Action feministe – Morocco
394. Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA) (International Association of Lawyers) – France, Global
395. Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) – United States, Global
396. United Methodist Church — General Board of Church and Society – United States
397. United Nations Association – UK (UNA-UK) – United Kingdom
398. United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) – Netherlands, Global
399. Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA) – Colombia
400. Universidad Nacional de Colombia – Colombia
401. University of Manouba Tunisia – Tunisia
402. Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights (UAF) – United States, Global
403. Urnammu for Justice and Human Rights – Syria
404. منظمة اور لثقافة المرأة والطفل (Ur Organization for the Culture of Women and Children) – Iraq
405. Vanuatu Young Women For Change (VYWC) – Vanuatu
406. Videre est Credere – Global
407. Vision GRAM-International (VGI) – Canada, Global
408. Vital Voices Global Partnership – United States
409. Voice for Change (VFC) – South Sudan
410. Voice of Somaliland Minority Women Organization (VOSOMWO) – Somalia
411. West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) – Ghana, Global
412. White Eagle Solutions – Afghanistan
413. WHRDMENA Coalition – Spain
414. Wi’am: Palestinian Conflict Transformation Center – Palestine
415. WIDE – Network for Women´s Rights and Feminist Perspectives in Development – Austria
416. Widows for Peace (WPD) – United Kingdom, Global
417. WILPF (LIMPAL) Colombia – Colombia
418. WILPF Aotearoa Section – New Zealand
419. WILPF Australia – Australia, Global
420. WILPF Canada – Canada
421. WILPF DK (Kvindernes Internationale Liga for Fred og Frihed) – Denmark, Global
422. WILPF (LIMPAL) España– Spain
423. WILPF Germany – Germany
424. WILPF NL – Netherlands
425. WILPF Norway – Norway, Global
426. WILPF Togo – Togo
427. WILPF UK – United Kingdom, Global
428. WILPF-Centrafrique (WILPF CAR) – Central African Republic
429. WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform – Netherlands
430. وجود للأمن الإنساني (Wogood for Human Security (WHS)) – Yemen
431. Women Action for and with Society (WAS) – South Sudan
432. Women Advocacy Coalition-Myanmar (WAC-M) – Global
433. Women Against Violence and Expediency Handling Initiative (WAVEHI) – Nigeria
434. Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF) – Afghanistan
435. Women and Youth Education Initiative (WAYEI) – South Sudan
436. Women Deliver – Global
437. Women Education Development Organization of Liberia
438. Women Empowerment Against Poverty of Nepal (WEAPoN) – Nepal
439. Women for Afghan Women (WAW) – United States, Global
440. Women for Peace and Democracy Nepal (WPD Nepal) – Nepal
441. Women for Peace in the World (W4PW) – Belgium, Global
442. Women for Water Partnership (WfWP) – Netherlands, Global
443. Women for Women International (WfWI) – Global
444. Women Incharge (WIC) – Cameroon
445. Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) – Libiera
446. Women Now for Development (WND) – France, Global
447. Women Oriented Actions for Change (WOAC) – Cameroon
448. Women Peacebuilders Network (WOPEN) – Cameroon
449. Women with Disability Self Reliance Foundation (WWDSRF) – Nigeria
450. Women with Girls Action for Development (WOGADE) – Uganda
451. Women Working Group (WWG) – Indonesia
452. Women, Peace and Security Network (NZWPS Network) – New Zealand
453. Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL) – Algeria, Global
454. Women’s Council Denmark – Denmark
455. Women’s International Peace Centre – Uganda
456. Women’s International Peace Centre (WIPC) – Uganda
457. Women’s League of Burma (WLB) – Myanmar
458. Women’s Platform – United Kingdom
459. Women’s Problems Research Union (WPRU) – Azerbaijan
460. مركز الدراسات النسوية (Women’s Studies Centre (WSC)) – Palestine
461. Women’s UN Report Network (WUNRN) – United States, Global
462. Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF) – Switzerland, Global
463. Women4NonViolence (W4NV) – Norway, Global
464. Womxn for Peace Research – Canada
465. World Humanity Commission – Global
466. World Pulse – United States
467. World YWCA (WYWCA) – Global
468. XOESE, Le Fonds pour les Femmes Francophones – Global
469. مؤسسة يمن فيوتشر للتنمية الثقافية والاعللمية (Yemen Future for Media And Culture Development) – Yemen
470. Yemen Organisation for Women’s Policies (YOWP) – Netherlands, Global
471. منظمة مدرسة السلام (Yemen Peace School Organization (YPS)) – Yemen
472. Young Positives South Sudan (YPSS) – South Sudan
473. Young Women Christian Association of Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka
474. Youth and Women for Development (YWD) – Uganda
475. Youth in Technology and Arts Network (YOTAN) – Liberia
476. Youth Leadership Development Foundation (YLDF) – Yemen
477. Youth Proudly Space Initiative (YPSI) – South Sudan
478. YWCA of Bangladesh – Bangladesh
479. Zan Times – Canada, Global
480. Zonta International – United States, Global
481. اعلاميات للامن والسلام – Yemen

(1)Women human rights defenders refer to all women — including Indigenous defenders, defenders from cultural, ethnic and religious minorities, those with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) — who defend any human rights, as well as people of all genders who defend gender equality and women’s rights.

(2) Under the equality provisions of international human rights law, women have the right to full and equal representation, and States have a duty to guarantee that women fully exercise their human rights on an equal footing with men, free from discrimination. The binding principles of equality and nondiscrimination form the backbone of the international human rights protection system, and are enshrined in the UN Charter (including Article 1(3)), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (including Article 2), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (including Articles 2, 3 and 25 and General Comment 28), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (including Articles 2 and 3), the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (including Articles 7 and 8), and CEDAW General Recommendations 23, 25, 28 and 30, in addition to Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1889 (2009), 2106 (2013), 2122 (2013), 2242 (2015), 2467 (2019) and 2493 (2019).