A/HRC/21/65 violations took place both in the private and public spheres and in all situations and were perpetrated by both State and non-State actors, including family members, private companies, transnational corporations and mercenaries. She reported that certain groups of women human rights defenders were increasingly vulnerable to attacks. Those women included those who defended the right of peoples to land, water and a clean environment; women who defended reproductive rights and rights relating to sexuality; women who advocated for equality and non-discrimination for non-normative individuals and communities; women who organized and mobilized communities; and women living in societies in transition. Ms. Abeysekera stressed that the context in which violations took place was as important as the nature of the violations. Those contexts included the existing societal framework of patriarchy and hetero-normativity, which justified violence against women and allowed violence to be perpetrated against women with impunity, alongside religious fundamentalism, extreme nationalist politics, the deterioration of democratic norms, the current global economic crisis, and the militarization of society and conflicts in every part of the world. Those contexts limited the capacity of women to promote and defend human rights. C. International, regional and national mechanisms for the protection of women human rights defenders 29. The Rapporteur on the rights of human rights defenders of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, José de Jesús Orozco, spoke of the recognition that the Commission had given to the issue of protection of women human rights defenders. He cited as evidence the establishment of a special office headed by a rapporteur; a resolution in which the General Assembly of the Organization of American States recognized the work of women human rights defenders in the region;2 and the creation of a network of human rights defenders by the Commission. The Commission had in place mechanisms for the protection of women human rights defenders, such as precautionary measures, public hearings, opinions issued on cases referring to the acts of States, and thematic hearings alongside thematic reports listing violations. Mr. Orozco expressed regret that the situation for women human rights defenders in some countries in the region had worsened due to gender stereotyping, discrimination and obstacles in the administration of justice, particularly in rural areas. He urged States and civil society to ensure that women human rights defenders are aware of existing protection mechanisms. 30. Nazar Abdelgadir, Executive Director of the Geneva Institute for Human Rights, commented on the role, challenges and outcomes of women in North Africa and the Middle East within the context of the current political transitions in the region. Mr. Abdelgadir stated that despite the very effective and active role played by women in overcoming legal, political, social and cultural challenges in creating change, women had yet to be fully recognized or included in decision-making. He insisted that women human rights defenders in the region should be fully consulted when States are designing protection mechanisms. Furthermore, he called for training of women human rights defenders in the region so as to allow them to be able to better claim and defend their rights. 2 General Assembly of the Organization of American States, resolution 2067 (XXXV-O/05) of June 7 2005, para. 2. 9