Name of organization/institution
Impunity Watch
Name of your focal point
Sanne Weber
Email of your focal point
sanne.weber@impunitywatch.org
Phone of your focal point
0651082970
Website URL
https://www.impunitywatch.org/
Organization details
Civil Society Organization
Description of your organization/institution
Impunity Watch is an international non-profit organisation working with victims of violence to uproot deeply ingrained structures of impunity, deliver redress for grave human rights violations and promote justice and peace. Working together with victims, survivors and affected communities is at the heart of everything we do.
Description of your main WPS related activities
Our work is guided by a gender-transformative strategy. This means that efforts to combat impunity should not only address gender-based crimes, but also identify and transform the underlying gender inequalities which cause gender-based violence before, during and after conflicts. We therefore look at the crimes committed against women and men, but also at the ways in which women have showed agency in surviving violence and seeking truth and justice. Finally, for transforming gender inequality it is essential to address the root causes of gendered violence. Our mapping report on sexual violence in Iraq, for instance, not only identified the forms and patterns of violence, but also the structural causes that enabled sexual violence against women. Transforming structural gender inequality not only requires working with women, but also with men. The naturalisation of violent and militarised masculinities tends to normalise gendered violence, and the glorification of militarised men as heroes prevents justice for the (gender-based) crimes they committed. Identifying and transforming militarised and violent masculinities is therefore an important aspect of our work on WPS. Our research in Guatemala, for instance, describes the negative impact of the militarisation of the police on women. Transforming oppressive and violent models of masculinity is a crucial area for prevention. In Africa, together with our partner CSVR, we undertake research and lobbying work engaging with the African Union to influence its transitional strategy, incorporating the transformation of masculinities as a way to tackle underlying causes of gender inequality. This research specifically takes a youth perspective, as young people often hold more progressive views on gender than older generations, and can therefore be important actors for change. Transforming gender inequality is intricately connected to increasing the participation of women in different spheres of life. Throughout our work, we promote the meaningful participation of victims and survivors of violence in decision making, as a crucial element for achieving justice, tackling impunity and building sustainable peace. Within this, the participation and leadership of women and girls is essential. Through our work we aim to support women in their participation in justice processes, by identifying and promoting their leadership in victim organisations and networks, as is apparent from our research in Colombia, and from our accompaniment of the National Platform for Victims and Survivors in Guatemala. Our research in Burundi has identified ways to increase women’s participation in transitional justice mechanisms, particularly truth commissions. Justice is also intricately related to victim participation, and our work focuses on enabling women to play an active role in justice processes, both as victims and witnesses and as lawyers and judges. Our judicial and political support for the case of sexual violence against Maya Achi women in Guatemala is an example of this, as is our research on the role and leadership of women in Guatemala’s justice system. Reparations for victims of violence are another main focus of our work. Here too, we pay attention to the different experiences of women, for example pointing out the need for reparations for sexual violence victims or widows, but also for support for victims’ networks with women’s leadership. Our report on reparations from a grassroots perspective provides different examples.
Strategic outcome
1. Participation - More women hold leadership positions, and women participate equally and meaningfully in decision-making processes at every level in the interests of peace and security, including conflict prevention and resolution, peacebuilding, protec, 3. Protection - Women and girls, as well as men and boys, in and from conflict situations, are protected against all forms of conflict-related violence, including sexual and gender-based violence. Their rights are safeguarded and enforceable
Sub-outcome 1
1.1 Enhanced enabling conditions for equal and meaningful participation of women and girls, 1.2 Support for meaningful participation women- and diaspora organisations, human rights defenders and peace builders who work on women’s rights and gender equality
Sub-outcome 3
3.1 Women and girls have access to security and justice systems, 3.2 Impunity for violent offences against women and girls combatted
What type of investments will you make to contribute to the selected outcome(s)?
Advocacy, Progammitic
Description/comments
We undertake research in the different areas indicated in this pledge (victim participation, access to justice, transforming militarised and violent masculinities). Based on our research, we identify areas for policy change, and develop lobbying and advocacy agendas, both in the different countries where we work and internationally. Together with grassroots organisations and other national and international civil society organisations, we undertake lobbying and advocacy work to improve access to justice for women and girls and contribute to the transformation of gender inequality. In this process, we work closely together with victims’ and survivors’ organisations, and accompany their organisational strengthening, a process in which we pay strong attention to women’s participation and leadership.
Country/Region
Impunity Watch currently works in Central America, North Africa and the Great Lakes region of Africa, the Middle East and the Western Balkans. We have presence in Guatemala and Burundi, and our headquarters are in The Hague, The Netherlands.
What is the time frame for your pledged outcome(s) and investment(s)
5 years - 2025