CNN International has identified and profiled 30 people whose lives and work respond to the challenges posed by anti-gender movements from Afghanistan to the United States.
Fidan Ataselim, the Secretary-General of the We Will Stop Femicide Platform based in Turkey, has also been included in the “30 Defenders” list.
CNN International has released a list of 30 advocates who stand against gender inequality worldwide and champion the rights of women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
Spanning from Africa to Afghanistan, Uganda to Ireland, the list includes Fidan Ataselim from Turkey, recognized for her inspiring courage and dedication.
Regarding Fidan Ataselim, CNN International stated:
“Ataselim is the secretary-general and one of the founders of We Will Stop Femicides, a platform that monitors femicides in Turkey and advocates for women’s safety. The group was targeted by conservatives after it spoke out against Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul convention, the world’s leading treaty on gender-based violence, in 2021.
Attacks on the treaty have been one of the strategies of the anti-gender movement and We Will Stop Femicides argues femicide in Turkey have increased since the withdrawal. Data collected by the group reveals that in 2023, 315 women were murdered in Turkey, 65% of them were killed in their own homes.
In September 2023, after an Istanbul court rejected attempts to have the group shut down for “acting against the law and morality,” Ataselim was quoted as saying: “We will continue to fight. We will not give up our rights and political struggle.”
“Instead of dividing women, the escalating oppression is uniting them“
In an interview with VOA Turkish, Fidan Ataselim expressed, “To be mentioned on this esteemed list alongside individuals from all corners of the world signifies the convergence of the collective struggle we have cultivated in this region with the endeavors of women from diverse landscapes, granting us honor and hope.”
“At a time when authoritarianism and right-wing populism are on the rise, the local and international women’s movements are also gaining momentum. Instead of dividing women, the escalating oppression is uniting them,” Ataselim remarked. “We are determined to construct a world that is both equitable and liberated.”
Judith Butler is also on the list
Among other women acknowledged for their dedication to gender equality are Hala Al-Karib, advocating for the involvement of women in peace and security efforts across Africa, and Nila Ibrahimi, a young activist from Afghanistan where women face significant challenges.
Representing Malaysia and Ireland respectively on the list are Nisha Ayup and Mary AcAuliffe.
Professor Judith Butler from the Comparative Literature Institute at the University of California, Berkeley, was commended for her efforts in LGBTQ+ equality.
Gissou Nia was also recognized on the list, representing Iran where women’s rights are critically endangered.
You can read about all the names in the list here.