On International Women’s Day, marked annually on 08 March, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) honours the extraordinary contributions of women worldwide, with particular recognition of the courage and perseverance of women across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Today, GCHR recognises the vital role of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) across the region, who continue to serve as a vital role in championing justice, defending civic freedoms, and challenging discrimination and oppression. In spite of facing entrenched patriarchal customs, restrictive legal frameworks, and political repression, women activists persist at the forefront of social change, shaping their societies and pursuing a more just and equitable future.

However, their efforts often come at a significant personal cost. The MENA region continues to experience profound instability, with ongoing conflicts, political repression, and humanitarian emergencies touching millions of lives. War, displacement, economic hardship, and shrinking civic space have created an increasingly difficult environment for human rights work. These conditions have also intensified the pressures encountered by women activists, many of whom continue their work while navigating insecurity, uncertainty, and the wellbeing of their families.

Members of GCHR’s core team themselves have experienced these realities firsthand. Our women colleagues in Lebanon, for example, continue their human rights work while dealing with the challenges posed by ongoing regional unrest and its direct impact on their families and communities.

The Psychological Cost of Human Rights Work

Today GCHR releases its report “Defending Rights & Bearing the Burden: Mental Health Challenges of Women Human Rights Defenders in MENA” to highlight the commonly overlooked mental health challenges experienced by women activists across the region.

A survey conducted by GCHR among women human rights defenders revealed that nearly all respondents reported experiencing anxiety, chronic stress, or emotional exhaustion linked to their activism. Many also reported symptoms of depression and trust issues, while most indicated that they had no access to professional mental health support.

Women defenders frequently operate within environments shaped by state repression, social backlash, and economic precarity. Many have experienced detention, threats, surveillance, or digital harassment. Others face hostility within their communities or families for challenging strongly ingrained gender norms.

In these contexts, the cumulative impact of activism, repression, and social pressure can considerably affect the psychological wellbeing of activists and their ability to sustain their work. Femicide and ongoing losses further deepen this dilemma, creating a profound sense of injustice and raising doubts about the very systems meant to protect rights and ensure accountability.

Digital Harassment and New Frontlines of Activism

For many women human rights defenders, digital platforms have become essential spaces for advocacy and solidarity, particularly for those operating in exile or restrictive environments. Yet these spaces have also become arenas for harassment, intimidation, and defamation.

Within the same context, Weaam Youssef, Programme Manager for Women Human Rights Defenders in the Gulf Region and Neighbouring Countries at GCHR, has noted: “As exiled human rights advocates and feminists, the online space is sometimes the only cosmos where we can interact with fellow activists from the region and beyond. Yet the virtual world is packed with complicated challenges and uncertainties. Even in online realms, we face intimidation, censorship and defamation aimed at silencing our voices.” She added, “Online harassment increasingly targets women activists through gender-based attacks, smear campaigns, and coordinated intimidation. Such attacks contribute to psychological distress and isolation, further increasing the emotional burden carried by activists.”

A Call for Solidarity and Support

Regardless of these challenges, women human rights defenders across the MENA region continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience. From documenting abuses and challenging discriminatory laws to supporting survivors of violence and mobilising communities, their work remains essential to advancing human rights and social justice.

On this International Women’s Day, GCHR calls for greater recognition of the challenges faced by women human rights defenders and for stronger support systems to protect their wellbeing.

Supporting WHRDs must include not only safeguarding their legal rights and physical safety but also addressing their mental health and psychosocial needs. This requires increased access to culturally appropriate mental health services, stronger protections against digital harassment and surveillance, and sustainable support for organisations working to defend women’s rights.

Women human rights defenders in the MENA region are not fighting isolated battles. Their work is part of a broader global struggle for justice, equality, and dignity.

On this International Women’s Day, we stand in solidarity with these extraordinary women recognising their courage, acknowledging the burdens they carry, and committing to support their ongoing fight for a more just and equitable future.