On Nov. 29, the U.S. celebrated International Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD) Day, commemorating the work of women’s rights defenders across the globe. 

WHRD Day is held during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which takes place Nov. 25-Dec. 10. The campaign aims to combat violence against women by targeting systemic barriers to liberation, a U.S. Department of State press release said.

”The United States salutes women human rights defenders and the critical role they play in securing universal and equal access to the full human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons,“ the release said.

Human rights defenders regularly face threats and violence, with WHRD often facing unique gender-specific challenges. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported the number of WHRD killings is increasing annually, with 10 killed in 2018, 16 in 2019 and over 40 in 2020, according to the State Department.

"The work of these brave individuals is integral to a vibrant, civil society, a prosperous economy and a secure world," the release said. “This group of defenders also faces intersectional discrimination and abuse that may be based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sex characteristics, religion, level of ability, or membership in other underserved communities.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has also presented additional challenges for women’s rights, according to a White House fact sheet on gender equity and equality.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled a health crisis, an economic crisis, and a caregiving crisis that have magnified the challenges that women and girls, especially women and girls of color, have long faced, the White House said. “It has also exacerbated a ‘shadow pandemic’ of gender-based violence in the United States and around the world.  These overlapping crises have underscored that, for far too long, the status quo has left too many behind.”