Actions
Human rights defenders working to end violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) do so in the face of grave threats of violence against themselves and their families. Justine Masika Bihamba is coordinator for Synergy of Women for Victims of Sexual Violence (Synergie des femmes contre les violence sexuelles), a women's human rights organization working in the DRC. Because of her work, Justine and her family have been targeted.
The military rulers of Myanmar have jailed thousands of people in their continuing efforts to crush all dissenting views. Most prominent of those detained is Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has spent 13 of the past 18 years under some form of detention. Ma Khin Khin Leh, a school teacher and young mother, is another individual serving a life sentence simply for trying to organize a peaceful demonstration in support of the NLD.
When the women left their homes that May morning in 2006, they never imagined the horrific experience that lay ahead of them. During a police operation in response to protests by activists from a local peasant organization in San Salvador Atenco, Mexico, over 45 women were arrested without explanation.
The activists of the human rights organization Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) know the price of freedom. For organizing peaceful demonstrations to protest the worsening social, economic and human rights situation in Zimbabwe, WOZA members have been repeatedly harassed, intimidated, beaten and jailed by authorities.
Women human rights defenders are coming under increasing pressure in Afghanistan. Many have faced death threats, kidnapping attempts against themselves and their families, as well as physical attacks. Tragically, some have been killed for raising their voice, while others have fled the country. Write to President Karzai to call on him to protect Women Human Rights Defenders to ensure that they are able to carry out their vital work, without fear of violence and intimidation. Download the action Protect Women Human Rights Defenders in Afghanistan in PDF format | Download the action Protect Women Human Rights Defenders in Afghanistan in RTF format
If the peace process in the DRC is to succeed, it requires, as a fundamental first step, an immediate end to sexual violence, the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and the immediate and unconditional release of children from the armed groups. The US Government can play a key role in making these measures a priority via the International Facilitation Team and its own diplomatic relations with the DRC. Download the action Urge US Government to Stop the War Against Women in the DRC in PDF format | Download the action Urge US Government to Stop the War Against Women in the DRC in RTF format
WOZA leaders Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu are scheduled to stand trial on July 7, for participating in a peaceful protest. Take action now to ensure that the charges are dropped immediately.
Please take action to help protect the safety of women in Afghanistan. Download the action Afghanistan: Investigate the Assassination of Zakia Zaki in PDF format | Download the action Afghanistan: Investigate the Assassination of Zakia Zaki in RTF format
Amnesty International recently published a report expressing concern regarding the Burundian authorities' failure to adequately address the problem of sexual violence against women. Take action now and urge Burundian authorities to prevent and investigate rape, and provide justice to the victims. Download the action Burundi - No Protection from Rape in War and Peace in PDF format | Download the action Burundi - No Protection from Rape in War and Peace in RTF format
