Protection International’s Post

Civil society leader, Ms Kholood Khair briefed the United Nations Security Council today giving focus to the situation of women, peace and security in #Sudan as part of the Security Council's discussion on “Sustaining WPS Commitments in the context of accelerated drawdown of peace operations”. And in doing so, amplifies Sudanese women's voices, often missing and ignored in 'talks' and decisions about Sudan. Her powerful statement (attached) highlights the grave situation for women and girls and their sustained exposure to conflict related #sexualviolence. She says, "There is currently no body in-country to adequately monitor human rights, no body to effectively protect civilians, and no body to sufficiently support women, who have so far been almost entirely excluded from participating in any aspect of resolving the current crisis, despite being on the frontlines of the response". She calls for the international community to work towards a ceasefire while at the same time put in measures for the protection of civilians, including physical protection. She stresses that #womensrights must be prioritized, as well as ensuring that conflict-related sexual violence be included as a component of sanctions. While there may not be full agreement on the value of peace operations, given its deficiencies and shortcomings, including in Sudan, there is resolute agreement that more must be done to protect women and girls, and to end the war in Sudan. #keepeyesonsudan #notatarget #IHL #WPS #POC #TalkaboutSudan #endviolenceagainstwomen #ceasefirenow #womensleadership #famine NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security UN Women Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) International Peace Institute (IPI) Human Rights Watch USAID - Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance African Union IGAD SOAS University of London Georgetown University GWL Voices Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism Women's Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Volker Türk UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women Global Fund for Women UN Security Council Briefing on Women, Peace and Security by Kholood Khair - NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security (womenpeacesecurity.org)

Honouring the women of South Africa and the African continent. 🌍 Happy South African National Women's Day, 9 August 2024. 🇿🇦 🗳 As we commemorate 30 years of democracy since the birth of the democratic dispensation in 1994, we remain forever indebted to, inspired and motivated by the heroism and bravery of the more than 20 000 South African women, who marched to the Union Building on this day in 1956 to petition against apartheid pass laws enforced under the now repealed Population Registry Act. ⚖️ The Act represented one the apartheid state's instruments through which to enforce and administer segregationist policies, by requiring black South Africans to carry an internal passbook, that served to maintain population segregation, control urbanisation, and manage migrant labour during the apartheid era and regime. 📣 The freedom and democracy enjoyed by all South Africans today, are in part due to leadership and advocacy of the women of 1956 and multitudes more who have and continue to strive for women's rights, recognition, emancipation, freedom, equality, protection, empowerment and transformation in South Africa, the African continent and across the world. ✅ At ETHICORE we recognise and are committed to realising the importance of mainstreaming women's socio-economic status and considerations into evidence based advocacy for public policy, legislation and regulation. 🫵🏽 We SALUTE YOU ! #NationalWomensDay #WomensDay #SouthAfrica #RSA #SA #ZA #Democracy #ETHICORE #PanAfrica #Africa #WomensRights #WomensEquality #Advocacy #PublicPolicy #Lobbying #GovernmentRelations

IHRC Seeks Actionable Practices to End Violence Against Women and Girls NGA: Marking International Day for the Elimination of Gender-based Violence, the International Human Rights Commission -IHRC in Nigeria underscores the disturbing increase in violence against women and girls across the globe. The Commission in a statement by the Ambassador-at-Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, stands in unison with the global community, comprising civil society organizations, Gender Justice movements, and international development partners, to undertake collective action aimed at revitalizing commitments and calling for accountability and action from stakeholders at various levels, from local to international. Dr. Duru lamented that despite global and local efforts, approximately one in three women in Nigeria have been victims of violence, emphasizing that the statistics are alarming and unacceptable. He said we must also fight rigid gender norms and stereotypes that perpetuate unhealthy masculinity and violence based on gender. He urged Special Monitoring Mission Officials in Nigeria to coordinate activities and participate in high-level advocacy meetings marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), an annual international campaign that commences on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and concludes on 10th December, Human Rights Day. https://lnkd.in/dG3t-dQD Reported: Fidelis Onakpoma Head Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria #IHRC #Nigeria #IHRCPress #IHRCNews #Charity #Press #PressFreedom #Volunteers #IHRCVolunters #Jurnalist #Reporter #World #Asia #Africa #Europe #America #Switzerland #InterpolUN #IPCUN #Humanrights #Humanity #HumanityFirst #RafalWasik #SMMIHRC #Diplomacy #UnGeneva #Unitednations #UnitedNationsHumanRights #Un #Eu

IHRC Seeks Actionable Practices to End Violence Against Women and Girls NGA: Marking International Day for the Elimination of Gender-based Violence, the International Human Rights Commission -IHRC in Nigeria underscores the disturbing increase in violence against women and girls across the globe. The Commission in a statement by the Ambassador-at-Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, stands in unison with the global community, comprising civil society organizations, Gender Justice movements, and international development partners, to undertake collective action aimed at revitalizing commitments and calling for accountability and action from stakeholders at various levels, from local to international. Dr. Duru lamented that despite global and local efforts, approximately one in three women in Nigeria have been victims of violence, emphasizing that the statistics are alarming and unacceptable. He said we must also fight rigid gender norms and stereotypes that perpetuate unhealthy masculinity and violence based on gender. He urged Special Monitoring Mission Officials in Nigeria to coordinate activities and participate in high-level advocacy meetings marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), an annual international campaign that commences on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls and concludes on 10th December, Human Rights Day. https://lnkd.in/dRNaMGNm Reported: Fidelis Onakpoma Head Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria #IHRC #Nigeria #IHRCPress #IHRCNews #Charity #Press #PressFreedom #Volunteers #IHRCVolunters #Jurnalist #Reporter #World #Asia #Africa #Europe #America #Switzerland #InterpolUN #IPCUN #Humanrights #Humanity #HumanityFirst #RafalWasik #SMMIHRC #Diplomacy #UnGeneva #Unitednations #UnitedNationsHumanRights #Un #Eu

Across the world, women remain underrepresented in decision-making roles--whether in politics, economic participation or peace processes. Despite their right to equal participation, women face numerous barriers that limit their voices in both private and public spheres. Our new reports, developed with Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre and Baghdad Women's Association, focus on the barriers to women's participation in Plateau State, Nigeria, and Iraq. These reports highlight the challenges women face in a context of conflict and shrinking civic space and offer actionable steps to enhance women's meaningful participation in the decisions that shape their lives. Learn more about the findings and recommendations from this critical research➡️ https://bit.ly/3ThxJGB #ListenToWomen #Policy #Advocacy #Peace

Given the recent developments concerning the proposed amendments to Iraq's personal status law, it is imperative to #empower local #women's rights organizations that are part off the community, deeply embedded within and directly engage with women. CARE Iraq, in partnership with CARE Egypt and CARE International in Sudan, is implementing a regional project focused on the Women, Peace, and Security (#WPS) agenda. Through a BMZ-funded initiative, we are working with three local partners in Iraq to further empower them and enhance their capacities, Better world Organization, Baghdad Women Association and Women Empowerment Organization (WEO). The goal is through our partners to support smaller grassroots organizations that often lack the necessary resources, helping them work more effectively on women’s rights in line with the WPS agenda. We are pleased to share our latest brochure highlighting the significance of UN Security Council Resolution #1325 on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. Developed by our partner organization, Women Empowerment Organization (WEO), it highlights the importance of the WPS agenda and it explores the role of women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution and emphasizes the need for their active involvement in decision-making processes. Together, we can ensure that women's perspectives are integrated into every facet of peace efforts, creating communities that are not only inclusive but also resilient. Thanks to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for their invaluable support in making this initiative possible. #WomensPeaceSecurity #UN1325 #EmpowerHer #Peacebuilding CARE Deutschland e.V. Kadry Furany Ruaa Dhiaa Habib Sara Mohamed, MPEd, PMP®

Why we need to listen to women:

📢 Statement by Coalition for Peace and Gender Champions in Solidarity with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) The Coalition for Peace and Gender Champions joins the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in expressing grave concern over the alarming reports of abductions and enforced disappearances in Kenya, affecting as many as 29 individuals since June 2024. We commend the ACHPR’s clear reminder that enforced disappearances violate fundamental human rights under the African Charter, including the right to liberty, dignity, and due process. As a grassroots organization committed to human rights and justice, we echo the ACHPR’s call to action and urge the Kenyan Government to: Conduct immediate, transparent investigations and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. Strengthen the independence and capacity of oversight bodies to prevent and address such violations. Support the families of victims by ensuring access to justice and remedies. Guarantee that all detained individuals are treated in compliance with due process of the law and uphold institutional reforms to safeguard human rights. We stand in solidarity with the families of the disappeared and all those advocating for justice and accountability. These acts undermine the rule of law and erode public trust, and they have no place in a democratic society. Let us collectively demand action to end this crisis and ensure Kenya remains a nation where human rights are respected and protected for all. #EndEnforcedDisappearances #HumanRights #JusticeForAll #ACHPR #AccountabilityNow #Kenya #EndAbductionsKE #EndAbductions #WakoWapi #HakiYetu CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda AfricanDefenders (Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network) African Initiative of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD Initiative) Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network Physicians for Human Rights Anti-Slavery International FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication Network Gender Is My Agenda Campaign - GIMAC Network Wayamo Foundation Paul Mulindwa (PhD) https://lnkd.in/d6KiNfTP

Yesterday was Africa Human Rights Day and here is an excellent profile of 23 African Rights NGOs leading the fight against rights abusing regimes, businesses and more: "African NGOs played a critical role in the fight against colonialism and apartheid, and today, they are at the forefront of the struggle to promote and protect human rights across the continent. They play a pivotal role in building a culture of human rights in Africa by raising awareness, advocating for policy change, providing legal and humanitarian support, and holding authorities accountable. Despite facing significant challenges, including political repression and restrictions, limited resources and security risks, their dedication and resilience have made them powerful agents for change. The following profiles highlight the work of 23 African NGOs that focus on human rights issues at the national, regional and pan-African levels. They are from 13 African countries: Cameroon, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe."

#AfricaInFocusTV a quick update following the press release by the Working Group on Women, Youth, Peace & Security (Ghana Chapter). Many Ghanaian media, including @citi973fm @starr1035fm @gtvghana covered the statement. The Group is quickly working on action points in a soon-to-be-released statement #StopGalamseyNow https://lnkd.in/eQxnjtMD