On 8 March 2021, the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development of the House of Commons (the Subcommittee) is hosting a recognition ceremony for four women who have dedicated their lives to defending human rights. The Subcommittee has chosen to award women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in particular because they face additional gender-specific risks in the course of their work – an unfortunate fact that is seldom discussed and infrequently recognized. This will be the second time the Subcommittee hosts a recognition ceremony for WHRDs. The initiative began in February 2019 when the Subcommittee adopted a motion committing itself to hosting this event annually, when possible. This year’s ceremony will take place virtually, on International Women’s Day, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. via the House of Commons Zoom platform.
