Civic Defenders

Defending Civic Space and Human Rights

We work to safeguard the rights of civil society and human rights.

Defenders of civic space, advocating for freedom, justice and accountability.

Discover the latest updates on civic rights violation.

If you have witnessed any abuse or violation, let us know secretly.

Learn about our commitments toward defending civic rigthts.

The Project

This project titled “The Collaborative Actions for Promoting Digital and Civic Space and Combating Gender Disinformation” is carried out by VOICE and the Daily Ittefaq and under the Collaboration Lab initiative, in partnership with European Union, ARTICLE 19 and Free Press Unlimited. Launched in October 2024, the project’s primary goal is to create a safe, inclusive digital environment by promoting digital rights and combating gender disinformation. Through extensive media monitoring, knowledge exchange, and stakeholder collaboration, we aim to advance policy advocacy and protect civic space for all.

Objectives

Foster an enabling environment to promote and safeguard DCS while combatting GD.
Enhance awareness among relevant stakeholders, providing them with the requisite knowledge and resources to defend DCS effectively and counter GD.
Facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange by strengthening networks that actively engage in advocacy to promote DCS and challenge GD.

Expected Outcomes

Comprehensive documentation of evidence-based findings and cases regarding DCS violation and GD, particularly focusing on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target number 16.10, through rigorous media monitoring.
Establishment of a dedicated rapid response taskforce to quickly respond to violations of DCS and GD resulting in active advocacy efforts supported by an ‘online information tool’ to provide victims with confirmed pathway of legal/administrative information.
Facilitation of knowledge sharing and learning on DCS and GD among the Collaboration Lab alliance and a wide array of national, regional, and international stakeholders, fostering a robust network for influential policy advocacy.

Definitions

Within the context of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), “digital and civic space” refers to the online and offline environments where individuals and groups can freely express themselves, associate, and participate in public life, ensuring access to information and promoting accountability and inclusive decision-making.

Gender Disinformation is both a strategy to silence the free expression of women and gender nonconforming persons and a threat to their safety and health, as well as a possible form of online gender-based violence.

“Gender disinformation” is understood as the practice of massively sharing false information and misinformation aiming to attack women and girls, or even members of gender-diverse community – as individuals or collectively – or their rights.

Latest Media Monitoring of Digital and Civic Space Violation and Gender Disinformation

Killing

Arbitrary Detention

Harassment and Intimidation

Abduction