Regional Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders A gendered narrative of HRDs often favours an archetype of the adversarial, aggressive and traditionally male defender with a strong public profile, which may exclude those WHRDs who do more work behind the scenes, rendering them more susceptible to disappearances, other violations or general alienation. APF and its members will work to combat these gender stereotypes in the HRDs narrative, ensuring that gender considerations and the work of WHRDs are considered during the design, execution, monitoring and evaluation of all activities implemented under this Action Plan. Gender and LGBTIQ HRDs Gender must be explicitly recognised when considering definitions of HRDs at the regional and national level. According to the APF’s 2019 Gender Mainstreaming Guidelines: ‘Gender refers to the social construct established around behavioural, physical and cultural attributes, expectations and norms associated with being female or male. The APF recognises that gender is nonbinary and does not restrict its policies or activities to a female/male binary. It seeks to incorporate an inclusive understanding of gender into its policies and processes.’ The APF considers Trans women in its definition of WHRDs. However, the Regional Action Plan also recognises that Trans and non-binary HRDs face different and sometimes more complex protection challenges as a result of their gender identities. For this reason, it is essential to consider LGBTIQ defenders as separate sub-groups of HRDs that all warrant individual focus through targeted support initiatives. Environmental and indigenous HRDs The Regional Action Plan recognises the crucial role of Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) and the challenges they face in the defence of the right to a safe and healthy environment. In his 2016 report to the UN General Assembly, the former UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs, Michel Forst, considered EHRDs to refer to: ‘individuals and groups who, in their personal or professional capacity and in a peaceful manner, strive to protect and promote human rights relating to the environment, including water, air, land, flora and fauna.’ EHRDs are often sidelined in discussions on HRDs, as their work is typically framed in terms of environmental protection, rather than human rights. Indigenous peoples are also commonly represented in struggles for land and political autonomy. Front Line Defenders’ 2018 Global Analysis reported that 77% of the 321 HRDs murdered worldwide were defenders of land, environmental and indigenous peoples’ rights. Disability rights HRDs Defenders who advocate for the rights of people with disability are recognised explicitly under this Action Plan. Hundreds of millions of people in the Asia Pacific region live with a disability, many of whom suffer from prejudice, discrimination and exclusion. Disability rights HRDs will feature prominently in the activities implemented under the auspices of this Action Plan. Importantly, the APF and its members will ensure that programs and any related documentation are accessible for people with a disability. HRD families and community support networks HRDs often place themselves at great personal risk as a result of their tireless defence of human rights. At times, these risks may also be experienced by their families and other community and informal support networks. For this reason, it is important that the APF’s work acknowledges the families and communities of HRDs in the design of protection measures, ensuring that protection is made available and extended to defenders’ personal support mechanisms, where needed. Promotion activities under this Action Plan will also ensure a focus on the risks faced by defenders’ families and communities. 10