- 04/03/2025
- Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
- Category: News
On Tuesday 4 March 2025 the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Human Rights marked International Women’s Day celebrated on 8 March. The event was also organised by the British Interparliamentary Union.
Representatives of the Peace Brigades International where there. This is an organisation that provides support to women human rights defenders across 7 countries in South America, Africa and Asia by raising awareness, advocacy, fundraising and matching UK-based capacity and support with the needs of defenders on the ground.
I was fortunate to meet two of these defenders who lead Community Based Organisations in Kenya: Doris Kathia, founder of ‘Raise Your Voice’ and Rebecca Odhiambo, Programmes Coordinator and Research Director of ‘Women Empower and Mentor All’, speaking to them about their work to encourage empowerment of young people and the LGBT community respectively.
Rebecca and Doris are fellows on the Scottish Human Rights Defender Fellowship which supports human rights defenders around the world through temporary relocation in Scotland, providing the opportunity to undertake research, develop skills and build networks. Alena Chekhovich a Belarusian lawyer living in exile, is studying for a Masters at Dundee University (main pic). Her work with human rights, ‘Human Constanta’ focuses on implementing alternatives to immigration detention in Belarus.
Stars of Myanmar Friendship Club is a dedicated grassroots organisation committed to providing aid to women political prisoners, supporting displaced women and children with humanitarian aid and resources, and amplifying the voices of women participating in non-violent resistance. I was told of reports of women who have bravely stood against the military leaders of the 2021 coup in the current climate of increased human trafficking and sexual violence. To find out more, here is the link: www.starsofmyanmar.com
