A/HRC/40/60 families, neighbours and communities in the belief that they and their actions are a threat to religion, honour, culture or ways of life. 29. Social constructions of gender are shaped by patriarchy and heteronormativity. 7 Patriarchy – the privileging of men in social relations – often results in the disempowerment of women and their exclusion from decision-making processes. Patriarchal ideas circumscribe how and when women exercise voice and agency in the private and the public spheres. Similarly, heteronormativity – the privileging of heterosexuality and the rigid definition of gender identities, sexualities, and gender relations – reinforces clear distinctions between men and women. Heteronormative ideas render gender non-conforming persons invisible and reproduce expectations about how women and men should express their sexuality and gender; those who do not conform are cast as “deviant”, “abnormal” or “wicked”. Human rights defenders whose actions are perceived as challenging patriarchal and heteronormative systems tend to face threats and attacks, as they question understandings of women’s identity and their place and role that are taken for granted and disrupt gendered power relations. 30. In some societies, the risks that women human rights defenders face are also shaped by their position in castes, tribes, clans, ethnicities or races and nations. Fundamentalist ideologies simplify and homogenize identities; those who do not conform are excluded, or even punished for their “deviance”. Aggressors also stoke nationalist fears of women defenders, accusing them of being anti-national or foreign agents who are spreading foreign ideas and practices. 31. Of deep concern is the rise of the concept of “gender ideology” as posited by religious leaders, politicians and members of conservative groups, who, misunderstanding and misusing gender matters, describe the “ideology” as a threat to religious values, the family and morals in society (A/HRC/38/46, para. 14). In this view, put forward with particular vehemence in Latin America and Eastern Europe, “gender ideology” is positioned as the attempt by defenders of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons and those of other diverse orientations and gender identities, and by feminists, to destabilize the political and social order; the supposed threat is being used to shape political outcomes and justify discrimination. 32. In some regions, militarization normalizes the use of force and violence; it often results in the idealization of violent masculinities. Militarization often changes local economies, affecting people’s access to their land, agriculture, water and resources. In many places, communities are terrorized by different parties in a conflict, accused by each of siding with the other. Ensuring security – particularly during and after conflicts and foreign occupation – also disrupts economic activities, impoverishing communities. Actions taken to prevent and counter violent extremism have resulted in women defenders being labelled as potential terrorists, thus silencing legitimate, peaceful dissent. Women also often find themselves excluded from peace processes. 33. Globalization and neoliberal policies have, moreover, led to economic disempowerment and power inequalities that affect that the rights of women. Non-State actors such as businesses, organized criminals, investors and financial institutions have been growing in power and influence over States and societies. Projects carried out in the name of economic development – for example, by extractive industries and agribusiness – have resulted in environmental destruction, displacement and high levels of human rights abuses and violence. Such projects often marginalize, impoverish and fragment communities and families. Women defenders have been at the forefront of protesting such changes and claiming their rights, often with far fewer resources than those whose actions they resist. 34. The difficulty of gaining access to justice and impunity for violations increases the risks faced by women defenders. In some contexts, people of different genders are not equal before the law. Women may be subject to tribe- or clan-based systems of adjudication 7 Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition, Gendering Documentation: A Manual for and about Women Human Rights Defenders (2015). 7