Human rights defender's story: Paula Wachter from Argentina

Paula Wachter, leading Red por la Infancia, is dedicated to the eradication of violence against children and adolescents in Argentina. As an activist, Paula’s journey began upon recognising the frequent violations of children’s rights and the ineffectiveness of State mechanisms in providing solutions, particularly in cases of sexual violence where mothers seeking justice for their children often face criminalisation.

One of the major challenges Paula faces as a woman human rights defender is navigating the lingering disadvantages and gender stereotypes that persist even within human rights mechanisms. Despite some improvements over recent years, discriminatory practices still exist and affect the efficacy of her advocacy.

During the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Argentina, Paula’s objectives were clear: to push for the recognition of sexual offenses against minors as criminal offenses and to address the high levels of impunity in these cases. She highlighted alarming statistics that underscore the severity of the issue—out of potential millions of child abuse cases, a staggeringly small number lead to convictions.

Paula credits ISHR with significantly impacting her organisation’s strategy and effectiveness. ISHR’s training provided not only the practical and theoretical knowledge needed for international advocacy but also ongoing support that bolstered her team’s commitment.

Paula’s message to the international community emphasises that defending human rights is a collective responsibility. Whilst some may take more active roles, the entire society must engage in protecting and advocating for human rights. Her work continues to strive for a world where every child in Argentina can grow up free from violence and with assured access to justice.