Confronting Extractivism & Corporate Power
Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) worldwide defend their lands, livelihoods and communities from extractive industries and corporate power. They stand against powerful economic and political interests driving land theft, displacement of communities, loss of livelihoods, and environmental degradation.
Why resist extractive industries?
Extractivism is an economic and political model of development that commodifies nature and prioritizes profit over human rights and the environment. Rooted in colonial history, it reinforces social and economic inequalities locally and globally. Often, Black, rural and Indigenous women are the most affected by extractivism, and are largely excluded from decision-making. Defying these patriarchal and neo-colonial forces, women rise in defense of rights, lands, people and nature.
Critical risks and gender-specific violence
WHRDs confronting extractive industries experience a range of risks, threats and violations, including criminalization, stigmatization, violence and intimidation. Their stories reveal a strong aspect of gendered and sexualized violence. Perpetrators include state and local authorities, corporations, police, military, paramilitary and private security forces, and at times their own communities.
Acting together
AWID and the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD-IC) are pleased to announce “Women Human Rights Defenders Confronting Extractivism and Corporate Power”; a cross-regional research project documenting the lived experiences of WHRDs from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
We encourage activists, members of social movements, organized civil society, donors and policy makers to read and use these products for advocacy, education and inspiration.
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"Women Human Rights Defenders confronting extractive industries: an overview of critical risks and Human Rights obligations" is a policy report with a gender perspective. It analyses forms of violations and types of perpetrators, quotes relevant human rights obligations and includes policy recommendations to states, corporations, civil society and donors.
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"Weaving resistance through action: Strategies of Women Human Rights Defenders confronting extractive industries" is a practical guide outlining creative and deliberate forms of action, successful tactics and inspiring stories of resistance.
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The video “Defending people and planet: Women confronting extractive industries” puts courageous WHRDs from Africa, Asia, and Latin America in the spotlight. They share their struggles for land and life, and speak to the risks and challenges they face in their activism.
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Challenging corporate power: Struggles for women’s rights, economic and gender justice is a research paper outlining the impacts of corporate power and offering insights into strategies of resistance.
Share your experience and questions!
◾️ How can these resources support your activism and advocacy?
◾️ What additional information or knowledge do you need to make the best use of these resources?
Thank you!
AWID acknowledges with gratitude the invaluable input of every Woman Human Rights Defender who participated in this project. This project was made possible thanks to your willingness to generously and openly share your experiences and learnings. Your courage, creativity and resilience is an inspiration for us all. Thank you!
Related Content
Snippet FEA Audio Land and Agroecology (EN)
Listen to the story here:
¿Se mantiene el Foro AWID en Taipei dada la situación relacionada con COVID-19?
AWID está monitoreando de cerca la situación global del COVID-19 y, por ahora, prevé seguir adelante con el Foro según lo planificado.
Si en algún momento la situación exige que hagamos algo diferente, se los comunicaremos inmediatamente.
El 14° Foro Internacional de AWID está programado para realizarse del 20 al 23 de septiembre de 2021 en Taipéi.
Asma Jahangir
Asma était une militante pakistanaise des droits humains, une critique courageuse de l'ingérence de l'armée dans la politique et une défenseure acharnée de la primauté du droit.
Elle a été la présidente fondatrice de la Commission des droits de l'homme du Pakistan, un groupe indépendant ainsi qu’administratrice de l'International Crisis Group. Elle a remporté des prix internationaux et a été rapporteuse des Nations Unies sur les droits de l'homme et les exécutions extrajudiciaires.
Ses collègues et ami-e-s de l’AWID se souviennent d'elle avec affection
« Grâce à sa vie, Asma a réécrit l'histoire que beaucoup d'entre nous ont racontée en tant que femmes. Asma a changé le monde. Elle l'a changé au Pakistan et elle l'a changé dans notre imaginaire. »
Struggling for Human Rights, Facing Injustice across LAC
This year we are honoring 19 Women Human Rights Defenders from the Latin America and the Caribbean region. 16 defenders were murdered, including 6 journalists and 4 LGBTQI rights defenders. Please join us in commemorating the life and work of these women by sharing the memes below with your colleagues, friends and networks and by tweeting using the hashtags #WHRDTribute and #16Days.
Please click on each image below to see a larger version and download as a file


















El mío no es ninguno de los idiomas oficiales de la encuesta y me cuesta mucho responderla, ¿qué puedo hacer?
AWID tiene un compromiso con la justicia lingüística y, en este punto, lamentamos no poder contar con más idiomas para la encuesta ¿Dónde está el dinero? Sin embargo, en caso de que necesites asistencia con la traducción o desees responder la encuesta en otro idioma, te pedimos que nos contactes al email witm@awid.org.
Snippet FEA Objectives NSS Family Farming (ES)
AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR, AGROECOLOGÍA Y SOBERANÍA ALIMENTARIA

¿Por qué decidió AWID cambiar la ubicación del Foro, de Bali a Taipéi?
A fines de 2019, la situación en Indonesia (en particular, los signos de militarización intensificada y de reacción contra los derechos LGBTQ) nos llevó a cuestionar la capacidad de AWID para sostener un ambiente razonablemente seguro y acogedor para la diversidad de participantes que esperamos reunir en el Foro.
Después de un análisis cuidadoso, en noviembre de 2019 la Junta Directiva de AWID decidió cambiar la sede del 14° Foro Internacional de AWID, de Bali a Taipéi.
Taipéi ofrece un alto nivel de capacidad logística, y resulta accesible para muchxs viajerxs (con la facilitación de un trámite de visa electrónico para conferencias internacionales).
Para más detalles:
Digna Ochoa
Deborah Holmes
At the time of her death, following a short but aggressive battle with cancer, Deborah was the Chief Communication and Engagement Officer at the Women’s Funding Network (WFN).
Deborah also worked for the Global Fund for Women from 2008 to 2017. Deborah was extremely loved and respected by board, staff, and partners of Global Fund for Women.
Kavita Ramdas, former CEO of the Global Fund for Women aptly noted that Deborah was “a small package exploding with warmth, generosity, intelligence, style, and a passionate commitment to fusing beauty with justice. She understood the power of story. The power of women’s voice. The power of lived experience. The power of rising from the ashes and telling others it was possible. And, still we rise.”
Musimbi Kanyoro, the present CEO of the Global Fund for Women, added, “We have lost a sister and her life illuminates values that unite and inspire us all. As we all come together to mourn Deborah’s passing, let us remember and celebrate her remarkable, bold, and passionate life.”
Les défenseuses du Pacifique
Les trois défenseuses des droits humains de la région Pacifique auxquelles nous rendons hommage cette année ont travaillé dans les médias, fait campagne pour les droits des personnes handicapées ou plaidé en faveur des droits des femmes. Leur contribution restera irremplaçable et nous leur rendons honneur. Nous vous invitons à vous joindre à nous pour commémorer la vie de ces femmes, leur travail et l’héritage qu’elles nous ont laissé. Faites circuler ces mèmes auprès de vos collègues et amis ainsi que dans vos réseaux et twittez en utilisant les hashtags #WHRDTribute et #16Jours.
S'il vous plaît cliquez sur chaque image ci-dessous pour voir une version plus grande et pour télécharger comme un fichier


Notre groupe n’a pas reçu de financement externe entre 2021 et 2023. Pouvons-nous quand même participer à l’enquête?
Oui, nous voulons connaître votre situation, que vous ayez reçu du financement pendant une, deux ou les trois années de la période 2021–2023.
Esther Chávez Cano
Carmen Griffiths
Carmen encabezaba el Construction Resource and Development Collective (CRDC, Colectivo de recursos para la construcción y el desarrollo) y fue fundamental para apoyar la participación de las mujeres en la industria de la construcción en Jamaica.
También trabajó con mujeres rurales y urbanas en temas relacionados a la preparación para afrontar desastres naturales. Trabajó de manera cercana con mujeres (especialmente madres solteras) enseñándoles cómo usar los cinturones para huracanes y otras tecnologías para poner sus hogares a resguardo. Trabajó en el área de agua y obras sanitarias y fue una fuerte defensora del manejo y desarrollo ambientalmente sustentable.
Fue parte de la Comisión Huairou y realizó incidencia en favor de las mujeres de base en temas vinculados a refugio, energía y medios de vida sustentables.
Kit nas redes sociais sobre o Fórum AWID

Ajude a divulgar o Fórum AWID 2016!
Este kit inclui mensagens modelo apropriadas para Twitter, Facebook e LinkedIn, além de imagens que podem ser usadas para acompanhar essas mensagens.
Este kit é muito simples de usar. Basta seguir estes passos para:
Pronto – agora você já pode começar!
Combine estas mensagens com as imagens para Twitter
Tweets para seu uso pessoal
Eu vou para o #AWIDForum. O lugar para conectar com movimentos de direitos das mulheres & justiça social. Vamos!: http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Contando os dias para re-imaginar #FuturosFeministas com outr@s ativistas por direitos das mulheres & justiça social @ #AWIDForum! Participe: http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Estou muito animada/o para participar do #AWIDForum em Maio, e agora já podemos nosinscrever! Vamos! http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Tweets para seu uso institucional
As inscrições já estão abertas para o #AWIDForum! Costa do Sauípe, Brasil, 8 de 11 set. de 2016 http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Participe do #AWIDForum, um encontro histórico entre ativistas de todo o mundo em defesa dos direitos das mulheres & justiça social http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Participe do #AWIDForum para comemorar as conquistas dos movimentos sociais & analisar aprendizados para seguir em frente http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
#AWIDForum – mais que um evento, uma chance de romper com a opressão & avançar a justiça http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Participe do #AWIDForum para comemorar, traçar estratégias, revigorar os movimentos sociais e a nós mesm@s http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Futuros Feministas
Vamos construir #FuturosFeministas junt@s. Inscreva-se no #AWIDForum 2016. Costa do Sauípe, Brasil http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Una-se a nós para re-imaginar & co-criar #FuturosFeministas no #AWIDForum 2016. Inscreva-se http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
#FuturosFeministas: aproveite o momento @ #AWIDForum para avançar visões compartilhadas por um mundo mais justo http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Seremos 2.000 ativistas de movimentos sociais @ #AWIDForum, traçando estratégias para nossos #FuturosFeministas http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Construção de movimentos transversais
Nós somos mais do que uma luta por uma só bandeira. Una-se a nós no #AWIDForum http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Participe do #AWIDForum, um espaço para criar estratégias entre movimentos sociais & alavancar o nosso poder coletivo http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Mobilize solidariedade & poder coletivo entre movimentos sociais no #AWIDForum http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Romperas barreiras entre os movimentos sociais. Re-imaginar & co-criar nossos futuros. Tudo isso no #AWIDForum http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Solidariedade é um verbo. Vamos colocá-lo em ação no #AWIDForum http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Mensagens especiais
Doadores engajados com os direitos das mulheres e movimentos sociais no #AWIDForum: http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Mídia e movimentos sociais: amplificando #FuturosFeministas no #AWIDForum: http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Combine estas mensagens com as imagens para Facebook
Nota: estas mensagens também podem ser usadas no Twitter via Mensagens Diretas privadas, que não têm limite de caracteres. Você pode compartilhar as imagens preparadas e adicionar estas mensagens modelo.
Mensagens para seu perfil pessoal
A espera acabou! já podemos nos inscrever no Fórum AWID 2016. Será maravilhoso reconectar com companheiras/os ativistas e re-imaginar nossos futuros feministas. Vejo vocês lá em Sauípe! http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Estou muito animada/o para participar do Fórum AWID em Maio, e agora já podemos nosinscrever! Vamos! http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Estou curtindo a ideia de re-imaginar futuros feministas com 2.000 pessoas de inúmeros movimentos incríveis de direitos das mulheres e justiça social no Fórum AWID. Inscreva-se e a gente se vê por lá! http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Mensagens para a página da sua organização
As inscrições já estão abertas para o Fórum AWID 2016 na Costa do Sauípe, Bahia! Este não é apenas qualquer evento – é um espaço único para ativistas em defesa dos direitos das mulheres e justiça social de todo o mundo se encontrarem e re-imaginarem nossos futuros feministas. Você não vai querer perder! http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
Una-se a nós no Fórum AWID 2016 na Bahia! Ativistas e movimentos de todo o mundo irão se encontrar para comemorar, criar estratégias, inspirar e renovar nossas lutas coletivas e a nós mesm@s. Inscreva-se agora! http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
O Fórum AWID 2016 será um encontro histórico entre ativistas de todo o mundo por direitos das mulheres & justiça social. Una-se a nós lá para romper as barreiras, fortalecer a solidariedade e alavancar nosso poder coletivo. Inscreva-se agora! http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
O Fórum AWID 2016 será um encontro histórico entre ativistas de todo o mundo em defesa direitos das mulheres & justiça social. Una-se a nós lá para romper as barreiras, fortalecer a solidariedade e alavancar nosso poder coletivo. Inscreva-se agora! http://forum.awid.org/forum16/pt-br
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Snippet FEA Travesti (EN)
TRAVESTI
A latin-american gender identity
The term travesti is often mistakenly translated as "transvestite" in English. However, it is a Latin American gender identity with no equivalent in other languages, and exclusively female. It is a person designated male at birth who identifies as female. They may or may not undergo bodily changes, and should always be addressed with she/her pronouns.
Travesti is not only a gender identity located outside of gender binarism, it is also a cultural identity rooted in Latin American movements. The term was initially pejorative, but it was later re-appropriated as a symbol of resistance and dignity.
Every travesti is trans because she does not identify with the gender designated at birth, however not every travesti considers themselves as a trans woman, since travesti is already a gender identity on its own.
Source: Berkins, Lohana. (2006). Travestis: una Identidad Política [Travestis: a Political Identity]. Trabajo presentado en el Panel Sexualidades contemporáneas en las VIII Jornadas Nacionales de Historia de las Mujeres/ III Congreso Iberoamericano de Estudios de Género Diferencia Desigualdad. Construirnos en la diversidad, Villa Giardino, Córdoba, 25 al 28 de octubre de 2006.