The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) has published a new report titled “We Are Tired, But We Are Here to Reclaim What Is Ours,” documenting the discussions, experiences and recommendations of the Second Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) Regional Forum, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 21 to 23 August 2026.

Organised by GCHR, the Forum brought together 50 women human rights defenders, feminist leaders, civil society representatives and partners, including representatives of international human rights mechanisms, from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The report reflects a powerful message shared by participants: women human rights defenders are exhausted by years of repression, conflict and increasing threats, yet remain determined to continue their work, reclaim their spaces and strengthen their movements through collective action.

Participants highlighted the growing risks facing WHRDs, including criminalisation, arbitrary detention, digital surveillance, online harassment, gender-based violence and displacement. These challenges are intensified by ongoing wars, shrinking civic space, declining funding and restrictions on civil society organisations.

A central concern was the gap between documenting violations and securing timely, meaningful protection. Participants called for more responsive international human rights mechanisms and practical protection measures that address the specific needs of women defenders, particularly those working in conflict-affected and repressive environments.

The Forum also highlighted how funding cuts are threatening the survival of feminist and human rights organisations, weakening institutional capacity and placing additional pressure on already exhausted defenders.

Despite these challenges, the report identifies opportunities for regional solidarity, collective care, intergenerational cooperation and defender-led protection mechanisms. Through participatory discussions, women defenders developed proposals for more integrated protection approaches combining legal assistance, digital security, psychosocial support, networking and sustainable resources.

Beyond documenting threats and challenges, the report offers a powerful insight into the lived experiences, resilience and collective vision of women human rights defenders across the region. Through personal reflections, country-specific experiences and creative discussions, it reveals not only the realities of defending human rights amid war and repression, but also the solutions women defenders are developing themselves. “From reimagining protection mechanisms to building feminist solidarity and collective care, the report invites readers to listen to the voices of WHRDs and explore their vision for a safer, more sustainable future for human rights movements across MENA,” said GCHR’s WHRDs Programme Manager.

GCHR calls on international human rights mechanisms, donors and civil society partners to strengthen protection for WHRDs, provide flexible and long-term funding, and invest in feminist networks and collective wellbeing.

The new report highlights growing threats against women human rights defenders across MENA and calls for stronger protection, sustainable funding and regional feminist solidarity. The report also emphasises that women human rights defenders must not only be protected but also meaningfully involved in designing and leading the mechanisms intended to support them.

The Forum’s message is both a reflection of the exhaustion experienced by women defenders and a declaration of their continued resistance and solidarity: “We are tired, but we are here to reclaim what is ours.”

Read the full report here.