Women environmental and human rights defenders (WEHRDs) in Africa play a vital role in protecting the climate, ecosystems, and the rights of their communities. Yet their work comes at a steep cost. From rural villages to conflict-affected regions, women face disproportionate risks, including gender-based violence, criminalization, intimidation, and exclusion from decision-making processes.
Our preliminary report spotlighting six African countries, sheds light on the realities faced by WEHRDs across the continent, exploring the threats they encounter, the gaps in protection, and the collective strategies and resources they rely on to safeguard their communities, their environment, and themselves. Our analysis underscores not only the urgent need for targeted support but also the resilience, leadership, and transformative potential of women defenders in shaping Africa’s environmental and human rights landscape.
