We remember and pay tribute to Women's Human Rights Defenders from around the world.
© Original art by Vienna Rye
In this online gallery, we pay tribute to over 400 courageous feminists and activists from 11 regions and 80 countries who are no longer with us.
We bring them all into our collective memory and carry their legacy of struggle as our torch in feminist and women’s rights movements.
Join us in sharing their legacy: Get the social media kit with images and messages from the 2018 Tribute Learn more about the creation of the Tribute
Remember and honour, the WHRDs no longer with us - by artist Vienna Rye.
Abby was a pioneering feminist, human-rights activist and former Canadian epidemiologist.Read more >
Amal was a prominent politician and parliamentarian in Libya. She was a faculty member at Benghazi University from 1995 until her death in 2017.Read more >
Ana was a strong advocate of women’s rights and worked with women in grassroots networks to those in the private sector. She believed in building bridges across sectors. Read more >
Anna grew up in Lewes, Sussex (UK), she spent much of her time defending the marginalised and under-privileged, attending anti-fascist rallies.Read more >
Asma was a leading Pakistani rights activist, fearless critic of the military’s interference in politics and a staunch defender of the rule of law.Read more >
Barin was a member of the all-women fighting unit of the Kurdish People’s Protection Unit (YPG). She was killed while on active duty. Read more >
Benoîte was a French journalist, writer, and feminist activist. She published more than 20 novels as well as many essays on feminism.Read more >
Carmen had a long career advocating for women’s rights both in NGOs and within the United Nations (UN) system.Read more >
Carmen was instrumental in supporting women’s involvement in the construction industry in Jamaica.Read more >
Deborah was the Chief Communication and Engagement Officer at the Women’s Funding Network (WFN). Read more >
Diakite was actively involved in advocating for women in political and public life in Mali.Read more >
Dora was a globally acclaimed pharmacist and community leader. Her revolutionary work created a paradigm shift in the Nigerian public service.Read more >
Known as “Mama Efua”, her work to end Female Genital Mutilation helped bring international attention and action to end the practice.Read more >
Elisa was the coordinator for the human rights organization Karapatan in Negros Oriental Province in the Philippines.Read more >
Florence was a disability rights activist who worked with several disabled women’s organizations in Uganda.Read more >
Guadalupe was an environmental activist involved in the fight against crime in Cherán, Mexico.Read more >
Jacqueline was a pioneering Malian/ Burkinabe feminist, nationalist and educator.Read more >
Janette’s intolerance of injustice and commitment to standing up for people’s rights led her to work for sexual and reproductive health and rights.Read more >
Juana was one of the founders and Board Member of Red de Mujeres Ixiles de Nebaj, an Indigenous women’s rights organization, member of IM-Defensoras.Read more >
Juana was an Indigenous Mayan Ixil, professional nurse and coordinator of the Farmers’ Development Committee, in Guatemala.Read more >
Kagendo was an African feminist artist, and filmmaker. She dedicated over 20 years to advocate for the rights and dignity of African LGBTIQ and gender non conforming people.Read more >
Kate had a lifelong passion for women’s rights and gender equality and dedicated her career to fighting inequality and making the world a more compassionate place.Read more >
Lara was a well-known and loved radio DJ on Motsweding FM in South Africa. She worked hard to shine a light on LGBTI issues.Read more >
Laura was a leading activist and lawyer who campaigned fearlessly for the decriminalisation of sex work in Ireland.Read more >
Leticia was a Ugandan lawyer and judge.. She was the first Ugandan woman to hold the position of Chief Magistrate.Read more >
Liliana was a teacher, a weaver, and a well recognized writer. Her feminism was expressed in the diverse, rich and strong women voices in her writing.Read more >
Born in 1928, Marceline worked as an actress, a screenwriter, and a director. She was also a holocaust survivor. Read more >
Madiha was a prominent Professor of Sociology who actively engaged with civil society as an advocate for women’s rights in the Arab region.Read more >
María was recognized globally for her extraordinary leadership in the disability community.Read more >
Most of María’s life was devoted to incorporating a feminist and gender perspective in institutional and organizational work, and capacity building in Latin America. Read more >
Mariam was a staunch critic of militarization in Moro communities, and consistently denounced aerial bombardment and encampment in the Philippines.Read more >
Marielle was a Brazilian politician, feminist, and human rights activist. She was an outspoken critic of police brutality and extrajudicial killings.Read more >
An expert on social development and anthropologist by training, Mary was best known as a pioneer in the battle against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).Read more >
Mona was an economist and an independent consultant on gender and development issues.Read more >
Mridula was a strong advocate for the advancement for women’s health at a time when the topic of women’s sexual and reproductive health were considered taboo in Fiji.Read more >
Nadine was a role model to many for her work supporting women and the most vulnerable in her community in Madagascar.Read more >
With a legal career spanning more than 30 years, Oby was known across Africa and around the world as a champion for gender justice and human rights.Read more >
Olivia was the spiritual leader of the Shipibo Konibo peoples. She was an active defender of the cultural and environmental rights of her people. Read more >
Ottilie was a Namibian feminist activist, educator and politician. Throughout her life, she argued for the right to argue, think, contest, and demand. Read more >
Peni was a radical feminist philosopher, poet, writer, playwright and songwriter. She was the first coordinator for the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement.Read more >
Razan was a 21-year-old volunteer medic in Palestine. She was shot in an effort to reach a casualty.Read more >
Riham was a lawyer and activist committed to monitoring rights violations in Yemen. She worked to supply civilians trapped by Houthi militias with food and water.Read more >
Rocky showed inspirational leadership and direction in working with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Brotherboy and Sistergirl (LGBTIQBBSG) youth at risk.Read more >
From a young age Samira opposed all forms of despotism, particularly vis-a-vis the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Asad in which she lived. Read more >
Shireen was an inspiration to many feminists in Fiji and a powerful ally to the women’s movement. She advocated tirelessly for gender equality locally and regionally.Read more >
So'oalo was a fervent human rights advocate, especially pertaining to the rights of the LGBTQI community in the Pacific.Read more >
Stella worked on violence against children, and worked to strengthen the capacities of grassroots organizations addressing gender-based violence.Read more >
Su’ad was a strong advocate of women’s and children’s rights, and was the head of Al-Weed Al-Alaiami - an Iraqi human rights organisation.Read more >
Sue was an artist, activist and teacher from the USA. As a lesbian feminist, she created art for women, about women.Read more >
Teresia was a fearless advocate who worked closely with feminist groups in Fiji.Read more >
Ursula was an American novelist who worked mainly in the genres of fantasy and science fiction.Read more >
Winnie (Ma’Winnie) has been described as a “militant firebrand activist” who fought the apartheid regime in South Africa.Read more >
Zita was a women’s rights activist who defended the rights of rural women in Greater Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.Read more >
The physical, sexual and online abuse that has become a part of the journalists' daily work lives should never be normalized.Read more >
