From World Water Day to Earth Day (March 22nd to April 22nd), Women’s March Global has been highlighting stories of water rights and earth/land rights. For the #22To22 campaign — our third of 5 Actions to EndGBV (Gender Based Violence) — we shared some of the countless female activists who have dedicated their lives to fighting climate change and are working tirelessly to create a space for women to make an impact in their communities. Our goal is to raise awareness of the day-to-day struggles caused by corporate water and land theft and celebrate those who have fought so that all people may enjoy the right to sovereignty over their own water and land.

On the 12th of April the U.S. Trans Military Ban will be going into effect. As a Global organisation we recognise that policies passed by the U.S. Government have far reaching implications worldwide. The Trans Military Ban is an issue that is not only a personal one our Interim Executive Director (who is a U.S. military veteran), but one that concerns us on a global scale.

Women’s March Harare hosted a Dialogue after International Women’s Day to discuss The role of Zimbabwean Activists in Safeguarding Women’s Rights. The discussion focused on what it means to be a woman in and survivor of conflict and moreover, the role of the Activist in conflict situations. The following is the Report by Women’s March Harare on their Dialogue Event.

Be a true ally — speak up.

Men defining women at the 63rd Commission for the Status of Women at the United Nations.

Damaris Ngwa, Chapter Ambassador for Women’s March Bamenda, shares with us her experience as a woman affected by conflict and the work she is doing to support women in her community. Damaris’ story is part of the #OurStory Campaign with World Pulse, the first of our 5 actions to #EndVAW, which called on women and allies around the world to break their silence and tell their stories; highlighting that when we bring our stories into the light, we not only empower ourselves but also those who are afraid to do so.

A cross-regional group of 36 states* have called for the release of imprisoned Women Human Rights Defenders in Saudi Arabia, at the interactive dialogue held with the UN High Commissioner at the Human Rights Council. This is the first time ever that States at the Council collectively condemned human rights violations committed by Saudi Arabia. Led by Iceland and signed by all EU Member states, the joint statement calls for the release of Saudi Women Human Rights Defenders and condemns the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Equality Now has released a report on the “Global Rape Epidemic” looking at how laws around the world are failing to protect women and girls from sexual violence.

Last month we launched the first of 5 actions to End Violence Against Women — Our Story. The stories shared by our community through the “Our Story” campaign were a stark reminder that women’s experiences of violence are not isolated.

Last month European Parliament released a joint motion for a resolution condemning Saudi Arabia’s numerous human rights violations and determined the Saudi political system as discriminatory towards women. This resolution addressed the prevalence of gender-based violence, the restrictions imposed on women as well as the use of the death penalty for non-violent offences. The resolution notes that “since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud came to power in June 2017, many outspoken human rights defenders, activists and critics have been arbitrarily detained, or unjustly sentenced”. The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) has praised the resolution and echoed calls for accountability and the release of imprisoned human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia.