This year marks a powerful milestone for the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRDIC) — 20 years of collective action, unwavering solidarity, and feminist resistance across the globe.

A Movement Rooted in Feminist Solidarity

The WHRDIC was born out of a shared recognition that women human rights defenders (WHRDs) face gender-specific risks that too often go unseen and unaddressed. In 2004, feminist activists, working closely with Hina Jilani — the first UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders — launched the first global WHRD initiative. Just one year later, in 2005, WHRDIC founders organized the first-ever global gathering of WHRDs in Sri Lanka, laying the foundation for what would become a transformative global movement.

Since then, the Coalition and its members have been instrumental in shaping how WHRDs are seen, heard, and protected. Our work has helped ensure that human rights advocacy can no longer be treated as “genderless,” and that the experiences, perspectives, and leadership of women human rights defenders are acknowledged in international and regional human rights systems.

From introducing the very term “WHRDs”, to influencing the adoption of the UN Resolution on WHRDs, to helping secure global recognition of November 29th as International WHRDs Day, the WHRDIC has changed the landscape of human rights advocacy.

A Feminist Model of Accountability and Action

Over two decades, the Coalition has built a unique, member-led feminist structure — one that remains agile, principled, and deeply rooted in solidarity.

“For me, the Coalition’s biggest achievements are three things,” shared Alix Vuillemin, Executive Director of Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, member of the WHRDIC. “First, sustaining two decades of solidarity in such a unique, feminist membership model is in itself remarkable. Second, the ability to respond quickly and clearly to global crises, like Gaza or East Africa, while always staying rooted in feminist values. And third, what I personally value most: the way the Coalition holds us accountable to our principles with both professionalism and kindness. That combination of rigor and authenticity is rare, and it’s what makes this space so meaningful to me.”

Through joint advocacy, rapid response, and knowledge production, WHRDIC has supported many WHRDs — influencing UN bodies, regional systems in Africa and the Americas, and national human rights policies. Our publications, including Claiming Rights, Gendering Documentation, Global Report on the Situation of WHRDs, and Our Right to Safety, have educated, agitated, and sparked lasting change.

Honoring the Past, Building the Future: March Reception in NYC

To mark this milestone, WHRDIC partnered with the Coalition of Women Human Rights Defenders in the SWANA region (WHRD MENA) for a joint anniversary celebration in New York City on March 10, 2025. The reception entitled “Louder, angrier and stronger”, held at the Blue Gallery, was not a celebration — it was a trip down memory lane to explore where we come from and what our experience in the past decades has looked like. It was an act of political affirmation and deep solidarity in times of polycrisis, hopelessness and despair.

Together, we honored 20 years of WHRDIC and 10 years of WHRD MENA, creating a vibrant space for reflection, mourning, resistance, and vision-building. The evening included music, poetry, art, letter writing to WHRDs in prison, moments of collective grief and commemoration of defenders no longer with us.

“The Coalition's anniversary was a very emotional moment,” said Alice Bordaçarre, head of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality office at FIDH, member of the WHRDIC. “Meeting the founders of this incredible coalition, the newcomers with all their ideas and aspirations, and the amazing activist artists made it an exceptional event. I remember the songs and dances of the women human rights defenders in the audience, whose beautiful energy showed that the movement was alive and had a bright future ahead of it in the fight for greater gender and social justice.”

At a time when the world faces increasing polarization, hate, exclusionary policies, genocides and wars, the reception served as a reminder of the urgency and power of feminist solidarity. WHRDs across regions reaffirmed their commitment to each other, to justice, and to building the world we want — one grounded in care, community, and courage.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate 20 years, WHRDIC recommits to our founding principles: feminist solidarity, shared leadership, and the relentless pursuit of gender and social justice. We continue to work with and for WHRDs everywhere — supporting their safety, amplifying their voices, and making sure that their work is recognized, valued, and defended.

We honor every member, past and present, who has made this journey possible.

Here’s to the next 20 years — stronger, louder, and more united than ever.