Mental Health Challenges of Women Human Rights Defenders in MENA

“Defending Rights & Bearing the Burden: Mental Health Challenges of Women Human Rights Defenders in MENA” report  highlights the commonly overlooked mental health challenges experienced by women activists across the region.

A survey conducted by WHRDIC member Gulf Centre for Human Rights among women human rights defenders revealed that nearly all respondents reported experiencing anxiety, chronic stress, or emotional exhaustion linked to their activism. Many also reported symptoms of depression and trust issues, while most indicated that they had no access to professional mental health support.

Women defenders frequently operate within environments shaped by state repression, social backlash, and economic precarity. Many have experienced detention, threats, surveillance, or digital harassment. Others face hostility within their communities or families for challenging strongly ingrained gender norms.

In these contexts, the cumulative impact of activism, repression, and social pressure can considerably affect the psychological wellbeing of activists and their ability to sustain their work. Femicide and ongoing losses further deepen this dilemma, creating a profound sense of injustice and raising doubts about the very systems meant to protect rights and ensure accountability.