Women human rights defenders often work in extreme social, political and economic circumstances. What measures can the international community – government and civil society – take to better support and protect women human rights defenders? You are warmly invited to join this lunch seminar with Ileana from Nicaragua, Ninfa Cruz from Colombia and Inez de Boer of Peace Brigades Nederland to exchange and take forward recommendations.
Most of us consider women human rights defenders (WHRDs) as heroes. WHRDs are the crucial people on the ground that identify local and national priorities. They also feed the work of the international community on human rights, peacebuilding and stability. The downside is that being a WHRD usually means working in extreme social, political and economic circumstances. Including physical threats.
On March 4th WHRDs and heroes Ileana from Nicaragua and Ninfa Cruz from Colombia will share their personal stories with members and partners of WO=MEN. During a lunch seminar we’ll explore with Ileana, Ninfa and Inez de Boer (Peace Brigades) ways and opportunities to better protect WHRDs safety and wellbeing. How can WHRDs continue their work under extreme circumstances? What tools and knowledge are there to regain energy? What measures can (international) policy makers, embassy personnel and program managers take to better protect WHRDs’ work? You are warmly invited to learn and share!
Program
12.00 – 12.05pm Welcome & introduction
12.05 – 12.50pm Defending human rights in Nicaragua and Colombia: Personal stories of Ileana and Ninfa Cruz
12.50 – 13.15pm Q&A
13.15 – 13.45pm Protecting WHRDs: Recommendations for practitioners and policymakers by Inez de Boer Peace Brigades Nederland
13.45 – 14.00pm Wrap up
Lunch will be provided during the seminar.
Short bio´s Women Human Right Defenders Ilenea and Ninfa Cruz
Ileana
Ileana is a freelance journalist in Nicaragua publishing for media such as La Prensa, Nicaragua Investiga, Teletica Canal 7 and Canal 15. Since 2007 Ileana has been facing threats, which mainly arose at the time of publications made in national media and the organization of citizen marches against police corruption and drug trafficking. She is visiting the Netherlands via the Shelter City project, hosted by Peace Brigades Nederland. Read Ileana´s full bio here.
Ninfa Cruz
Ninfa has been a human rights defender and social leader in Colombia for sixteen years and today she is a member of the Board of Directors of the Social Corporation for Community Advice and Training (Corporación Social para la Asesoría y Capacitación Comunitaria – COS-PACC). Ninfa herself, as a social leader, has suffered five forced displacements and one attempt to disappear her. Read a preview of Ninfa´s story here.
This event is organized by WO=MEN and Peace Brigades Nederland.