A/HRC/40/60 that are independent of the laws of the State and can complicate their efforts to advance human rights. Many women defenders struggle to afford the legal fees they must pay to defend themselves from judicial harassment and criminalization. Reports to the police about crimes committed against them sometimes go unheeded. Impunity for human rights violations and abuses is a root cause of the threats and attacks they continue to endure. VI. Gendered risks faced by women human rights defenders 35. The experiences of women defenders are diverse. They promote and protect human rights in very different circumstances. In doing so, they generally face greater risks and challenges than men do – risks that are gendered and intersectional. Aside from gender, aspects of their identities, such as age, religion, ethnicity, class, immigration or legal status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and the way those aspects intersect shape the way women human rights defenders are perceived and treated. Women defenders are not just targeted as individuals; they are also targeted because they belong to networks, collectives and movements, and attacks against them are meant to serve as warnings to others. Some of the risks and violations they experience have not been sufficiently understood, analysed, documented and exposed; some have not been treated as legitimate human rights concerns. Non-recognition, marginalization and systematic exclusion 36. The first issue that women defenders face is that they and their actions are often rendered invisible or their contributions marginalized, sometimes subtly. It is common for their views to be ignored, treated with scepticism and belittled, including in human rights movements. Women are often relegated to support roles in groups and organizations, while men occupy formal positions and hold formal authority to make decisions that affect their lives. Women often find it more challenging to gain access to information and participate meaningfully in meetings and decision-making processes. Women defenders have expressed deep concern about the reluctance of organizations and social movements to address gender-based discrimination, violence, and the marginalization of women in their own structures and practices.8 Public shaming, stigmatization, attacks on honour and reputation 37. A powerful way of attacking women defenders is to damage their “honour” or reputation. Efforts to shame women have led to their stigmatization and isolation. In some contexts, women are often reduced to their roles as mothers, daughters and caregivers rather than seen as legitimate political and economic actors in all spheres of society. In particular, in conservative societies, women defenders are derided for their efforts to create change. They are labelled “bad mothers”, “difficult”, “loose”, “loud”, “nasty” or “witches”. They are cast as “unbelievers”, “atheists”, “guerrillas”, “separatists”, “the enemy within”, “traitors”, “anti-nationalists” or “terrorists”. 38. Sexuality baiting is a tactic commonly used to attack women defenders. Comments and insinuations about their sexuality, sexual orientation and reproductive or marital status are used to discredit their work. They are falsely accused of being promiscuous or engaging in prostitution. They are referred to derogatorily as “divorcees” or “lesbians”. 39. Public shaming is an effective tactic because it alienates women, often turning family members, colleagues and neighbours against them. Where families and communities are the primary source of protection, this tactic can leave women defenders vulnerable to physical attacks and psychological harm. As a result, some of them retreat to activities permitted by custom and tradition, which are less heavily regulated by law. 8 8 Association for Women’s Rights in Development, Women Human Rights Defenders Confronting Extractive Industries: An Overview of Critical Risks and Human Rights Obligations (2017).