The Asia and Pacific regions are witnessing democratic backsliding coupled with rising militarism. State actors have weaponized laws and tightened surveillance against women, trans, and non-binary human rights defenders and activists in countries like Myanmar, China, Afghanistan, and India, while non-state actors have weaponized regressive culture and religion, prioritizing profits over people, and extracting resources on indigenous peoples’ lands.

The global recession has further exacerbated economic inequality and put many defenders’ livelihoods at risk, while well-funded anti-gender movements have eroded feminists’ hard-won rights. People in the regions, especially the Pacific, have borne the brunt of the ongoing climate crisis and the consequent humanitarian crises. At the same time, tight financial restrictions have made it difficult to move money across borders into the hands of defenders and activists.

It is in this context that Urgent Action Fund, Asia & Pacific (UAF A&P) was created in 2017 to support the safety and well-being of women, trans, and non-binary human rights defenders, and respond to crises with care.

It is in this context that Urgent Action Fund, Asia & Pacific (UAF A&P) was created in 2017 to support the safety and well-being of women, trans, and non-binary human rights defenders, and respond to crises with care.

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