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Next in Our Fearless Together Series: Meet Diana

This email is part of a series where we deliver powerful stories of feminist activists, right to your inbox. Feminist movements are fearless, and so are the funders and supporters who stand with them in solidarity.

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Did you know that activists working to defend the rights of LGBTQIA+ people are among the most targeted in the world?

That’s according to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner – which goes on to point out that an astonishing 69 UN member states still have legislation criminalizing queerness. Even advocating for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community is criminalized in many parts of the world.

But even as the UN recognizes the distinct risks facing LGBTQIA+ communities and human rights defenders, UN spaces themselves are not always safe places for activists.

Diana knows firsthand

For our Feminist Activism Without Fear campaign, we interviewed Diana, a sexual and reproductive rights activist. In 2019, Diana attended the United Nations High-Level Political Forum to speak on behalf of civil society, pushing back on the findings of a report that representatives from her country were presenting on progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Following her statement, Diana was harassed and intimidated by country delegates, who accused her of exaggerating the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and causing an international incident. But Diana holds firm: “The fact is that queer people do not have the same rights. There is this huge new political, conservative push to silence us and take away our rights.” But her sense of safety was shaken by the encounter: “From that moment on I did not feel secure in the UN by myself.”

Protect Activists Like Diana ([link removed])


** What can policymakers do to better protect activists?
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At Urgent Action Fund, much of our advocacy work aims at increasing access and opportunities for frontline activists to bring their stories and perspectives to the United Nations and other halls of power. As we do that, we also advocate for more protections and accompaniment for advocates to ensure they are not intimidated or threatened because of their engagement with the UN.

Policymakers need to push for the power, perspectives, and holistic protection of frontline feminists to be reflected in places where decisions are made.

We have outlined specific solutions for policymakers ([link removed]) , like the need to:
* Design and implement policies that reflect and address the full scope of reprisals against feminist activists;
* Conduct prompt, thorough, impartial, and independent investigations into all violations and abuses against feminist activists;
* Advocate for policies and collective protection, care, and safety strategies designed and determined by movements themselves; and many more ([link removed]) .




** What can funders and supporters do?
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Governments and right wing organizations are working across the globe to threaten and silence courageous activists like Diana and reverse progress on LGTBQIA+ rights. But together, we have the power to swing the pendulum back in the right direction and protect activists.

With your generous gift ([link removed]) , Urgent Action Fund will continue to support the safety and security of activists like Diana, as well as bolster their vital efforts to protect democracy and human rights. Thank you for supporting frontline feminist activism for a more equal and just world today ([link removed]) .

In solidarity,
Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism

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