The Importance of Dialogue

Whilst the European Union continues to express concern for the increased impact of climate change on the planet, those defending their territories and the environment continue to be attacked for their activism across the world.

October 2 marks the International Day of Non-Violence and the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. The UN General Assembly began commemorating this day in 2007 to raise awareness and educate the public on the principle of non-violence. The goal of the resolution is to ensure a “culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.”

This week, the United Nations General Assembly meets in New York to discuss the current state of affairs in climate change. The UN has organised the Climate Action Summit this year to bring world leaders together to discuss the emergency crisis affecting millions on our planet.

Because of their work in defense of human rights, women human rights defenders (WHRDs) challenge  traditional gender roles of the patriarchal society that religates women to the domestic sphere. Consequently, WHRDs often suffer from serious public defamation campaigns that aim to damage their reputation, accusing them, among others, of neglecting their family or of being in search of sexual partners. In addition, women human rights defenders are often targets of attacks, threats and harassment, including those of a sexual nature.