ACTION BRIEF: Women Human Rights Defenders: Women, Peace & Security and COVID-19 in Asia and the Pacific

Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) play a critical role in advancing the rights of women and girls, challenging inequalities, and holding those in power to account. In Asia and the Pacific, exceptional measures introduced to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic means that the work of WHRDs is needed now more than ever to ensure that COVID-19 responses protect and promote the rights of women and girls. This brief explores key ways that the work of WHRDs has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and how countries can ensure the work of WHRDs is recognized and protected during this time.