Resisting & Persisting: Holding the Line for Human Rights in 2025
16th January 2025
Lewis Emmerton, Senior Policy Advisor, SheDecides
As we step into this new year, the horizon feels unnervingly familiar. Rising tides of populist leaders and regressive politics, escalating assaults on basic freedoms, deepening humanitarian and environmental crises, and the systematic stripping away of human rights are grim reminders of past struggles where we thought we had made substantive progress.
Once again, we find ourselves in a world where hard-fought rights are under threat, and lives and freedoms hang in a precarious balance.
It’s a stark reminder that progress is precarious, neither permanent nor guaranteed.
In this challenging context, our fight for progress must continue, but equally urgent is the need to strengthen our movement to hold the line. Holding the line isn’t passive—it is an act of resistance, a defiant stance against regression, and a critical foundation upon which, as a community, we regroup, re-strategise, and strengthen our collective resolve to demand the full realisation of human rights, not in rhetoric, but through action.
From abortion bans to the rollback of social protections, authoritarianism is resurging with ruthless determination. In this climate of confusion and calculated misinformation, democracy is eroding, human rights language is being twisted and co-opted, and far-right leaders grow bolder, shielded by enablers of misinformation and violence in politics, media, and big-tech.
For those on the frontlines—fighting for bodily autonomy, LGBTQI rights, environmental justice, and social equity—the stakes are higher than ever. Abortion restrictions, censorship of queer identities, and the silencing of dissent are daily realities. Health care providers, human rights defenders, journalists and activists are increasingly finding themselves the target of abuse by powerful individuals and anti-rights movements.
Maintaining reproductive rights, especially in a context where rights are being rolled back, requires constant effort, creativity, and resilience. It demands sustained organising, strategic thinking, and the courage to speak out in the face of opposition. Safeguarding these rights is not a one-time victory; it requires constant vigilance and a long-term commitment to building a just and equitable world. That’s why holding the line is more than just about being defensive, it requires constant action and proactive engagement, and must be celebrated when done well.
In conflict zones—Gaza, Lebanon, Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Yemen, the DRC—civilians continue to be deliberately targeted, entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble; hospitals, schools and vital humanitarian supplies destroyed, including access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services and information. Through the undeniable suffering, the global response continues to be marked by hypocrisy, inaction, and double standards. It is important to make sure voices are heard in their call to action to end impunity, stop genocide and crimes against humanity, and push for peace, justice and accountability.
We must amplify truth, and fight relentlessly for our rights, everywhere. Whether it’s defending bodily autonomy, LGBTQI rights, gender equity, environmental justice, or holding perpetrators of human rights violations, sexual and gender based violence and war crimes accountable, we must not allow ourselves to be silenced. Yes, the road ahead is daunting—but it also presents an opportunity to build deeper alliances, grow stronger, and let our collective power shine brighter than the dark days on the horizon.
History has shown us that resistance can endure even the fiercest storms. I have been fortunate to be part of inspiring gender equality, youth rights and reproductive justice movements that have shaped my activism over the years and strengthened my belief that standing together works.
Across the world, youth-led movements are rising to meet the moment with courage and conviction. Young people are taking to the streets, exposing genocide and human rights abuses, demanding climate action and defending democratic values. Their brave activism is not only a source of hope – it is a reminder that the future of our movements lie with young people. In the face of regression, they offer bold solutions and fresh perspectives – despite attempts to silence them, young leaders have proven that they are central to holding the line and keeping power in check. Inspiring us all to do more, push harder, and to not settle for less than true progress and justice.
This is not a moment for despair—it’s one to fortify our resolve, to learn from the rich histories of our human rights movements, to finesse our tactics and develop new strategies to counter an increasingly innovative and organised opposition. As attacks grow, so must our solidarity.
In the darkest moments, we must continue to show hope. We must resist, show-up and protect each other, and strengthen our communities against those determined to tear us down.
As emboldened anti-rights movements—backed by far-right political elites, dark money and powerful interests—try to strip away our dignity and freedoms, we will stand firm. We will show them what it means to hold the line.