STATEMENT
International Day for Women Human Rights Defenders,
29. November 2024
"Leaving no human rights defenders behind "
Statement delivered by Mr Tormod C. Endresen
Ambassador - Permanent Representative to the UN and other International Organizations
Check against delivery
28 November 2024
Welcome to this event, which Norway is pleased to co-host, ahead of tomorrow’ International Women Human Rights Defenders Day.
We believe I am glad that I recently had a chance Norway’s commitment and support to Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund, are closely linked to our ongoing work on women human rights defenders and promoting women’s participation in peace and reconciliation processes.
Norway has given priority to supporting human rights defenders for many years. We lead the negotiations on the resolutions on human rights defenders in both the UN Human Rights Council and in the General Assembly.
Women peacebuilders and human rights defenders are key agents of change.
A few weeks ago, Norway’s Women, Peace and Security focal points met here in Geneva to discuss best practice and meet key actors, including the WPHF. These colleagues are working to support women human rights defenders across the globe, including Afghanistan, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ukraine Palestine and Yemen.
Far too often taking part means becoming a target. Women peace builders and human rights defenders who speak up should receive recognition. Instead, they are often subject to threats and violence.
Protecting and supporting women’s participation is therefore one of Norway’s main priorities as part of our Women, Peace and Security efforts.
In order to understand how to best to strengthen our prevention and response measures, it is particularly important to hear directly from the women themselves and I appreciate the opportunity we have to learn from you today.
What we often hear is the need for increased resources to support the work and protection of women human rights defenders – and ensuring that relevant UN entities are set up to do the same.
This is why we together with Germany in 2021, during our Security Council membership, initiated the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund’s human rights window which provides resources and a safety net.
Norway is proud to have supported the WPHF since 2018, including funds for the WHRD window at both global and local levels. The funding is based on our appreciation of the fund’s flexibility and ability to reach so many local women’s organizations and networks at the local level.
I encourage other member states to support too.
I thank you again and look forward to learning more from this eminent panel – including in particular the lived experience from the women human rights defenders themselves.
Event organised by : Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), co-sponsed Belgium, Germany, Sierra Leone and others.