IACHR Commissioner: Protecting womans rights is not optional; it is an obligation

One of the consequences of the rise of far-right governments across the Americas has been an increase in hate speech and the spread of misinformation, particularly when it comes to women’s rights and gender policies. Leaders like Argentinas Javier Milei, the United States Donald Trump, and El Salvadors Nayib Bukele routinely paint their political opponents as enemies, employing aggressive rhetoric that experts say can place lives in danger. The risk of human rights violations increases in contexts of high polarization and low social cohesion due to historical and ongoing inequalities, said Roberta Clarke, rapporteur on the rights of women for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).  That risk has grown particularly for women. According to Clarke, the IACHR has been tracking how the rise in questioning women’s rights and policies to protect them has accompanied a surge in rates of violence, which were high to begin with. Recent estimates from the Pan American Health Organization show that one in three women aged 15 or older has been the victim of physical or sexual violence at some point in her life. Guaranteeing these mechanisms is not optional: it is an international obligation to protect the lives and integrity of women, girls, and teenagers, she told the Herald. In the following interview, Clarke talks about what the weakening of these policies means for women, how governments and states should enforce measures of protection, and why gender policies should account for womens economic and social conditions. The exchange has been lightly edited for length and clarity.  Roberta Clarke, rapporteur on the rights of women for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Credit: IACHR How has the advance of right-wing governments that espouse rhetoric openly against gender equity policies affected women in the Americas? The risk of human rights violations increases in contexts of high polarization and low social cohesion due to historical and ongoing inequalities. This is especially visible when authorities may not be tolerant of diverse participation and perspectives.  The IACHR has observed an increase in hate speech, misinformation, and questioning of women’s rights, as well as the weakening of legislation, policies, and institutions dedicated to combating discrimination and violence. These setbacks are accompanied by an increase in violence against women and girls in public and private spaces, which was already high. According to the latest estimates from the Pan American Health Organization, one in three women aged 15 or older has been a victim of physical or sexual violence, whether at home, in institutions, or in public spaces. Under President Javier Milei, the Argentine government has eliminated or defunded policies including aid for survivors of violence and programs educating public officials about gender-based violence. What are the consequences of such measures for women’s everyday lives? Eliminating these programs weakens institutional capacity to identify risks, adequately protect victims, prevent revictimization, and ensure diligent and unbiased investigations. Guaranteeing these mechanisms is not optional: it is an international obligation to protect the lives and integrity of women, girls, and teenagers. States must act with political will to end discrimination. This means they must allocate sufficient budgets and take a comprehensive approach to guarantee access to justice, security, and personal development. Insufficient funding limits the effectiveness of programs, hinders comprehensive care, and perpetuates impunity. A man recently murdered his ex-partner and her mother before kidnapping his 6-year-old son. His ex-partner had a panic button device but was not able to activate it. Should states update the methods used to assist violence victims? Cases like that one are among the most significant challenges in our region, where intimate partner violence continues to be the most prevalent form of violence: one in four women between the ages of 15 and 49 has been a victim of physical or sexual violence in this context. States must adopt urgent, effective, and accessible protection measures that respond immediately to situations of risk and are appropriate to the context of each case, protecting not only the victim but also family members and witnesses. Key elements for achieving this include immediate protection, access to comprehensive care services such as shelters, psychological care, and rehabilitation programs, and constant monitoring to ensure effective compliance. These measures must be coordinated institutionally and include permanent monitoring and supervision mechanisms, since it is not enough for them to exist in law: they must be applied appropriately and effectively to prevent further acts of violence.  Listening to women, girls, and teenagers who ask for help is necessary, but not sufficient: it is the states obligation to ensure the attacks they have experienced are not repeated. Three girls from vulnerable backgrounds were murdered recently in what appeared to be a revenge killing by drug traffickers. How can states specifically assist economically and socially vulnerable girls and women, who are more likely to suffer violence? The violence experienced by women, girls, and adolescents must be addressed with a gender-based and intersectional approach. This involves recognizing how different forms of discrimination combine and increase the risks they face. Incorporating this approach allows protection measures and public policies to be truly comprehensive, inclusive, and transformative. In the case you mention, gender and socioeconomic vulnerability overlapped to increase exposure to violence. Therefore, the state’s response must consider the specific risks linked to both factors in order to ensure appropriate measures.  The IACHR will continue to urge states to comply with their international obligation to guarantee women, girls, and adolescents a life free from violence and discrimination through comprehensive and effective policies. Cover photo credit: Jason Leung (Unsplashed)