Recommendations
Recognising the urgent need to support the mental health of women human rights
defenders, the GCHR calls upon:
Civil society organisations
1. To promote awareness of the burden of mental health of WHRDs while understanding
that it is a direct result of systemic oppression; and
2. To prioritise working with local communities, support research, and integrate mental
healthcare in advocacy and programs.
Allies and partners of digital rights organisations
3. To strengthen support mechanisms for WHRDs facing online harassment, surveillance,
and cyber blackmail. This includes investing in digital security training, protective
technologies, and the responsible development of artificial intelligence tools that can
help detect, prevent, and respond to online abuse targeting WHRDs.
International donors and humanitarian actors
4. To provide flexible, secure and culturally competent initiatives to support the unmet
needs of WHRDs.
Governments in the MENA region
5. To end harassment, detention, and violence against WHRDs and to ensure
accountability for abuses committed against them.
9