Definitions for the purpose of Istambul Convention 4/c

a “violence against women” is understood as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women and shall mean all acts of gender-based violence that result in, or are likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life; b...

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Scope of the Istambul Convention 3/c

1 This Convention shall apply to all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, which affects women disproportionately. 2 Parties are encouraged to apply this Convention to all victims of domestic violence. Parties shall pay particular attention to women victims of gender-based violence in implementing the provisions of this Convention. 3 This Convention shall apply in times of peace...

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Purposes of the Istanbul Convention 2/b

1 The purposes of this Convention are to: a protect women against all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence; b contribute to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and promote substantive equality between women and men, including by empowering women; c design a comprehensive framework, policies and measures for the...

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Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Preamble 1/a

The member States of the Council of Europe and the other signatories hereto, Recalling  the  Convention  for  the  Protection  of  Human  Rights  and  Fundamental  Freedoms (ETS No. 5, 1950) and its Protocols, the European Social Charter (ETS No. 35,  1961, revised in 1996, ETS No. 163), the Council of Europe Convention on Action against  Trafficking...

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Implications for Practice 9/9

It is important for policy-makers, practitioners, and human rights defenders to: Develop spaces for self-reflection on the individual and collective wellbeing of human rights defenders, especially those at risk.   Recognise and address norms and expectations that make it difficult for defenders to engage in discussions about wellbeing.  Move beyond ‘Western’ approaches to understanding...

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Creating space for wellbeing 8/9

The defenders in this study welcomed more emphasis on self-care, managing emotions, and discussions about wellbeing. They valued discussions about how to develop networks and how to build collective strategies for protection. In security training sessions, they valued sharing their experiences of risk and their self-protection measures with other defenders; they also valued hearing the experiences of others.  They...

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Wellbeing through human rights practice 7/9

Human rights work connects defenders in meaningful ways, allowing them to experience what they feel is fundamental to their wellbeing. For some, living positively and continuing with their work in spite of threats was in itself an act of resistance.  For such defenders, it is not a question of choosing between human rights practice and wellbeing – rather human rights practice is done to maintain...

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Identity, wellbeing, and access to resources 6/9

There is a link between the identity of defenders, the risks they face, and the resources and support they are able to access for their wellbeing. LGBTIQ* defenders, for example, have narrower access to support mechanisms. Seeking support outside of their own circles often requires them to ‘come out’ and to expose the work they do. This is similar for women defenders working on sensitive issues. As such,...

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The financial aspects of wellbeing 5/9

Many defenders discussed the financial insecurities of their work. They spoke about short-term funding, low wages, the lack of benefits, and expectations that human rights work should be conducted without pay. Some defenders in our study lost income because of the risks and threats they faced. Most had to raise money or spend their savings on personal security – such as bail, medical treatment, security...

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The reliance on private rather than collective coping strategies 4/9

The reliance on private rather than collective coping strategies Defenders in our study tended to rely on private coping strategies rather than on organisational support for their wellbeing. They shared how they gained strength from their spirituality, from being with their family and friends, and from engaging in hobbies. However, they also sometimes felt lost and alone in their struggles. We also...

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Culturally mediated understandings of wellbeing 3/9

Amongst defenders we found different reactions to questions about ‘mental and emotional wellbeing’ in our study. Some defenders interpreted this as a ‘Western’ concept, leading to ‘Western’ interventions that were inappropriate for them.  As a leader of an indigenous community in Colombia said: We don’t really use the ‘psychosocial’ concept. We believe that the work we do as indigenous people is better...

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Expectations about risk and sacrifice in human rights work 2/9

In human rights circles, there are strong social and cultural norms about self-sacrifice, heroism, and martyrdom. Especially in hostile conditions, risks are deemed as inherent in human rights practice. Defenders are expected to make personal sacrifices and to struggle; they are expected to face and manage risks or leave the work. Machismo culture and the pressure that defenders feel about needing...

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Wellbeing, Risk, and Human Rights Practice 1/9

Human rights defenders at risk often find it difficult to talk about their mental and emotional wellbeing, even when they are concerned about it. Cultures of human rights practice tend to emphasise self-sacrifice, heroism, and martyrdom. These norms inhibit defenders from expressing their anxieties and seeking help. How can we engage in discussions about wellbeing in human rights practice? How can we strengthen...

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Responsible Land Governance in Urban Areas

Land governance concerns the rules, processes and structures through which decisions are made about the use, access to and control over land, the manner in which the decisions are implemented and enforced, and the way that competing interests in land are managed. It encompasses statutory, customary and religious institutions. It includes state structures such as land agencies, courts and ministries responsible...

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Disaster Resilience

Every second, one person is displaced by  disaster. This amounts to three to ten times more displaced people than that which is caused by conflict and war worldwide [14]. Meanwhile, many families are not willing to leave their homes even when a disaster is imminent, fearing their insecure land and property rights may prevent them from later reclaiming their land. A key factor that influences the...

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