SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Feb. 27, 2026) — This International Women’s Month, California-based non-profit In Defense of Animals is launching a global campaign to expose the systematic exploitation of the female reproductive system within animal farming, as well as in entertainment, tourism, hunting, the pet trade, and other industries that exploit animals. The initiative features a formal challenge to “humane” certification programs and federal labeling standards, aligning women’s empowerment goals with animal justice.

The campaign specifically targets “humanewashing” in the food industry, urging the USDA and private certification bodies to disclose routine practices — such as forced impregnation and the traumatic separation of mothers from their young — that advocates say are hidden behind deceptive labeling.

“Animal justice is a feminist issue too,” said Lia Wilbourn, Farmed Animals Campaign Coordinator for In Defense of Animals. “Animal farming, entertainment and so many other industries rely on exploiting female bodies. They suffer shortened life-spans, forced impregnation and traumatic separation from their young. We are asking people to look behind the ‘humane’ labels found in grocery stores. Motherhood is being commodified, and we are demanding a definition of bodily autonomy that crosses species lines. The most effective way to honor these animals is to refuse to support industries that exploit them, live vegan, and defend them.”

The campaign targets several key industries where female animals face unique hardships:

• Dairy & Eggs: Exposing the cycle of forced breeding and the slaughter of "unproductive" male calves and male chicks in the dairy and egg industries. Their mothers are all slaughtered too.
• Deceptive Labeling: A formal alert urging the USDA and organizations like Certified Humane, Animal Welfare Approved, Global Animal Partnership, the USDA, and Congress to stop misleading the public with “humanewashing” labels and disclose routine industry practices. Video: Humane Certified is a Lie 
• Entertainment & Tourism: Highlighting the matriarchal loss in captive orca pods and elephant breeding programs in zoos.

Female non-human animals remain largely invisible in narratives around women’s empowerment. They are confined and abused, their bodies commodified, while 

their suffering is most often ignored. Beyond animal farming, industries that exploit female animals include research testing, companion animal breeding, zoos, horse racing, fur production, county fairs, marine parks, wildlife tourism, and pet breeding operations.

As part of its International Women’s Month’s programming, In Defense of Animals will amplify and defend the right of all female animals to live free from enslavement and domination, honoring the sacred bond between mothers and their young, and supporting the advancement of a vegan world.

Featured Events & Program for International Women’s Month:

March 9: Vegan Mentor Support Group: This group provides monthly support and helpful resources for vegans, and those interested in going vegan, offering an open environment to discuss self-care, social challenges, current topics, and nutrition guidance.

March 25: Liberation for All (Webinar): Featuring Yvette Baker, Executive Director of APEX Advocacy, and Ashley Capps, Founder of Mothers Against Dairy. This discussion explores the intersection of food justice and reproductive rights.

March 26: Animal Activist Support Group: This group offers ongoing monthly support and resources for animal activists, creating a safe space to share experiences related to burnout, emotional resilience, compassion fatigue, and connecting with non-activist friends and family.

May 10: International Calf and Cow Mothers’ Day: A new initiative launching on Mother’s Day weekend to honor the bond between mothers and babies of all species through community art projects, film, theater and more.Funders are also encouraged to contribute to ensure arts programs and sanctuary visits are fully accessible to everyone. Get involved here.

Discover:

Women Leading Transformative Change for Animals
Discover 26 women activists making history for animals

Educational Alternatives to Chick-Hatching Projects
The Hatching Kindness Project replaces live animals with compassionate, animal-free lessons. Free for educators, it teaches respect for animals and prevents needless suffering while still meeting educational goals

Get involved:

Send a letter to oppose so-called “humane” certification programs that deceive well-meaning consumers and fail to disclose the routine cruelties in all animal farming.

Take action for farmed animals and all animals

Resources:

Plant-Based Nutrition Guidance: Discover the many benefits of a whole food, plant-centric diet.

Animal Activist 24-7 Support Line: Free counseling, mediation, and therapist referrals by phone, text, email, and online chat.

Animal Activist Support Group: Free, monthly, online support for activists.

Free Vegan Starter Guide: Jumpstart your vegan life with nutrition facts, meal ideas, and more. 

### NOTES ###

Contact: Lia Wilbourn: lia@idausa.org (707) 776-6828

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in California with over 250,000 supporters and a history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, rural Mississippi, and central California, since 1983.

In Defense of Animals provides 24/7 support for activists and free resources for those transitioning to a vegan lifestyle: https://idausa.org/farmedanimals

### ENDS ###