Dear friends and colleagues, Happy International Women's Day. I wish to take this opportunity to recognise and highlight the remarkable work carried out by women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in the East and Horn of Africa. In 1945, the Charter of the United Nations set forth the principle of equality between women and men, which was followed by the development of a solid legal framework protecting and promoting women's rights. Since 1975, we have assembled on 8 March to celebrate International Women's Day.

Women have for decades been a core part of the human rights movement, fronted by women's rights organisations, in the sub-region. Consequently, we have witnessed proactive actions over the past year. In Ethiopia, the first-ever female President was appointed. In Somaliland, a bill outlawing rape was adopted to combat gender based violence. In Kenya, the eventual screening of the movie Rafiki, illustrating WHRDs struggle against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. These developments regenerate my optimism. Despite the progressive developments, alarming statistics illustrate that WHRDs continue to face severe human rights violations. While HRDs often experience threats, harassments, and violence due to their human rights work, WHRDs, in turn, are further marginalised due to their gender. The deteriorating respect for rule of law and shrinking civic space in the sub-region, in addition to the deeply-rooted gender roles and stereotypes which continues to dominate and ingrain our societies, put WHRDs at a high risk. In his latest report, the UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs, Mr Michel Forst, assesses the risks, threats, and human rights violations faced by WHRDs from a gender perspective. His report echoes our findings inMarginalised Human Rights Defenders in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, our latest report on WHRDs. The report illustrates, among other matters, that; WHRDs are subject to gender-specific threats and systematic, misogynistic attacks, as the violation of their sexual and reproductive rights; WHRDs lack access to the justice system, legal remedies, and are highly underrepresented in decision-making mechanisms; and WHRDs lack solid support systems, and access to psychosocial care. To this end, the importance of ensuring prompt and impartial investigation and accountability for violence against WHRDs, and equal and affordable access to justice mechanisms, cannot be overstated. The International Women’s Day is not only about raising awareness, and assessing the human rights situation for WHRDs, it is also a day for self-reflection. Let us evaluate our own strategies and actions, individually and collectively. Let us ask ourselves how we can further empower WHRDs, amend laws and policies that curtail women’s rights, and break down the long-standing social traditions that limit women. To commemorate the International Women’s Day, DefendDefenders will, together withGirl Child Network Uganda, organise the Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk in Kampala, which aims to boost women leadership by connecting professional women with young women and girls. I look forward to continue exploring ways to enhance women’s rights, and wish to reassure you of DefendDefenders’ dedication to strengthening the position and safety of WHRDs in the East and Horn of Africa. Yours sincerely, Hassan Shire Executive Director, DefendDefenders(East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)

East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project DefendDefenders seeks to strengthen the work of human rights defenders throughout the region by reducing their vulnerability to the risk of persecution and by enhancing their capacity to effectively defend human rights. DefendDefenders focuses its work on Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia (together with Somaliland), South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Visit us atwww.defenddefenders.org