UN Women is the UN organization delivering programmes, policies and standards that uphold women’s human rights and ensure that every woman and girl lives up to her full potential.
The UNITE to End Violence against Women initiative is a multiyear effort to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world.
Page on Addressing sexual violence Sexual violence – this remains widespread and prevalent during armed conflicts and other situations of violence, as well as in detention despite being prohibited by international and national laws. It occurs in various contexts and has grave humanitarian consequences. Sexual violence is often utilised as a tactical or strategic means of overwhelming and weakening the adversary, whether directly or indirectly, by targeting the civilian population.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious violation of human rights and a life-threatening health and protection issue. When people flee their homes, they are often at greater risk of physical, sexual and psychological violence, such as rape, sexual abuse, trafficking and forced prostitution.
UN Women – United Nations Development Fund for Women in collaboration with experts in the field
The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
Learn from hundreds of people from around the world, that has opened-up and been vulnerable so that you can connect, in the world’s first life experience library. Search through and explore now and you will find hundreds of in-dept video interviews evolving around the raw answers to these 3 questions:
1. What has been your life’s toughest challenge?
2. How did you overcome it?
3. What have you learned?.
Particularly relevant for MHHRI is the collection of interviews with people who have experienced war and conflict – https://thehumanaspect.com/?category=War%20%26%20conflict#feed
The network acilitate and support the contributions of psychological organizations to the global understanding of human sexual and gender diversity, to the health and well-being of people around the world who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual or intersex(LGBTI), and to the full enjoyment of human rights by people of all sexual orientations, gender expressions, gender identities and sex characteristics.
The Network of Psychologists For Human Rights is open to all psychologists around the world who are interested in Human Rights. This includes the application of psychological science to human rights issues; human rights abuses; advocacy for respect for human rights; and human rights of psychologists.
The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) the world’s premier trauma organization dedicated to trauma treatment, education, research and prevention. Through this organization, professionals share information about the effects of trauma, seeking to reduce traumatic stressors and their immediate and long-term consequences. The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) was founded in 1985 for professionals to share information about the effects of trauma. ISTSS is dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge about policy, program and service initiatives that seek to reduce traumatic stressors and their immediate and long-term consequences.
The Norwegian Human Rights Fund (NHRF) works to protect and promote human rights internationally through direct support to organisations working in the first line of defence for human rights.
The NHRF aims to be a flexible, courageous and global actor that provides direct support to local organisations working for the rights of vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups. In many cases, the NHRF supports affected communities and people on the ground in mobilising and taking the lead in the struggle for their rights.
Freedom House works to defend human rights and promote democratic change, with a focus on political rights and civil liberties. We act as a catalyst for freedom through a combination of analysis, advocacy, and action.
The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) is the independent advisory body to the Greek State on matters pertaining to human rights protection. It was established by Law 2667/1998 in accordance with the UN Paris Principles and inaugurated on 10 January 2000, when it was first convened by the Prime Minister.Its members are nominated by institutions whose activities cover the field of human rights: NGOs, trade unions, independent authorities, universities, bar associations, political parties, Parliament and the Αdministration.
Insecurity Insight is an organisation that examines threats facing people living and working in dangerous environments. Through innovative data collection and analysis methods generate insights relevant for aid workers, aid agencies and those concerned with the protection of health workers, educators, IDPs and refugees. This year they have launched a reporting mechanisms to help survivors of sexual violence and abuse at the aid workplace to document the problem and to highlight where change is needed.
Works toward its vision by supporting capacity building within psychosocial care initiatives of local organisations through training and supervision, access to information and resources, and strengthening and linking of the local organisations. The WTF works together with local and international staff and professionals of humanitarian aid organisations, service and educational institutions, and other community members, such as teachers and parents. The aim is to promote wellbeing, peace and stability through building and networking the psychosocial care capacity at local, country, regional and international levels. In this way, psychosocial expertise is embedded in the local community, and integrated into lasting, local structures, ensuring sustainability, cultural relevance and effectiveness.
A community of mental health innovators – researchers, practitioners, policy-makers, service user advocates, and donors from around the world – sharing innovative resources and ideas to promote mental health and improve the lives of people with mental, neurological and substance use disorders. MHIN aims to facilitate the development and uptake of effective mental health interventions.
OutRight Action International is a leading international organization dedicated to human rights advocacy on behalf of people who experience discrimination or abuse on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Click on the links below to learn more about our work in the regions and find country-specific information.
ICMP ensures the cooperation of governments and others in addressing the issue of missing persons, including provisions to build institutional capacity, encourage public involvement and address the needs of justice and provides technical assistance to governments in locating, recovering and identifying missing persons.
TRIAL International is a non-governmental organization fighting impunity for international crimes and supporting victims in their quest for justice. TRIAL International takes an innovative approach to the law, paving the way to justice for survivors of unspeakable sufferings. The organization provides legal assistance, litigates cases, develops local capacity and pushes the human rights agenda forward.
The Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) is a federation of human rights organizations working directly on the issue of involuntary disappearances in Asia. Envisioning a world without desaparecidos, the Federation was founded on June 4, 1998 in Manila, Philippines.
The principal objective of the Coalition is maximising impact of the activities carried out by its members in favour of an early ratification and effective implementation of the Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances.
One of the Working Group’s primary task is to assist families in determining the fate or whereabouts of their family members who are reportedly disappeared. In that humanitarian capacity, the Working Group serves as a channel of communication between family members of victims of enforced disappearance and other sources reporting cases of disappearances, and the Governments concerned.
The Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) is the body of independent experts which monitors implementation of the Convention by the States Parties.
The NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security works to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda at the United Nations and around the world.Since 2000 we have been working to bring the voices of women’s rights defenders and local peacebuilders into the New York peace and security discussions. It serves as a bridge between women’s human rights defenders and peacebuilders working in conflict-affected situations and senior policy-makers at UN Headquarters.
We are a human-rights-based development organization that strives to mitigate the consequences of severe human rights violations, such as collective violence. We support and empower victims/survivors of human rights violations and seek to change the conditions that perpetuate collective violence through preventative strategies.
Based in Geneva, HURIDOCS is an NGO that since 1982 supports human rights defenders use information technologies and documentation methods to organize and present data about violations. We are passionate about providing NGOs with the simplest and most efficient tools and techniques to advocate for their cause. Our team working in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe understands the specific challenges of each of these contexts.
Helsinki Committees have begun to emerge after the signing of the Final Helsinki Act in May 1975. Presently, they exist in 34 countries. Its goal is to protect citizens through monitoring the fulfillment of governmental responsibilities regarding human rights and freedoms, as adopted by the country through international agreements.
HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual is an Israeli human rights organization with tha main aim of assisting Palestinians of the Occupied Territories whose rights are violated due to Israel’s policies.
Human Rights in Mental Health-FGIP is an international federation of not-for-profit organizations that promote humane, ethical and effective mental health care throughout the world. The organization aims to empower people and help build improved and sustainable services that are not dependent on continued external support. The defense of human rights in mental health care delivery is the cornerstone of our work.
The Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR) was set up in Mumbai in the aftermath of Emergency like most Civil Liberties and Democratic Rights organisations in India. The main objective of the CPDR has been to educate people on their democratic rights.
The DCI International Secretariat (IS) is the focal point for DCI as an international movement, focusing mainly on lobbying, research, networking and advocacy work, primarily around the issue of juvenile justice. Moreover, the IS offers technical assistance and capacity building to its 40 national sections and associated members across the globe. DCI national sections and associated members develop and implement programmes addressing a number of pressing child rights issues including: Child Labour, Juvenile Justice, Child Soldiers, Sexual Abuse/Exploitation, Violence Against Children, Child Trafficking, Education, Health
Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) is an independent human rights organisation with cross community membership in Northern Ireland and beyond. It was established in 1981 and lobbies and campaigns on a broad range of human rights issues. CAJ seeks to secure the highest standards in the administration of justice in Northern Ireland by ensuring that the Government complies with its obligations in international human rights law.
Since 1981, our Casa Alianza (Spanish for Covenant House) programs have been providing shelter, protection and rehabilitation for children and teenagers in Latin America who are abused, abandoned, trafficked, addicted or left to the streets. Our team is a group of internationally recognized experts in children’s human rights passing critical legislation to establish and enforce policies that protect kids and punish traffickers.
Bangladesh Human Rights Commission-BHRC is one of the largest Voluntary International human rights and peace bodies in Asian Region working against torture and for the preservation, promotion and upholding of human rights/peace with over thousand branches in home and abroad. BHRC registered by the Government of Bangladesh and established in 1987 as per charter of UN bill of rights. It is accredited with United Nations and Affiliated Status with the International Commission of Jurists- ICJ. It is also member body of OMCT/SOS Torture Network (Geneva) and Member with Observer Status of African Commission on Human & Peoples Rights.
Founded in 1839, we are the oldest international human rights organisation in the world. Today, we draw on our experience to work to eliminate all forms of slavery and slavery like practices throughout the world.
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, registered with the Bahraini Ministry of Labor and Social Services since July 2002. Despite an order by the authorities in November 2004 to close, the BCHR is still functioning after gaining a wide local and international support for its struggle to promote human rights in Bahrain.
The Human Rights Center of Azerbaijan is non-governmental, non-political, non-registered, non-profit organization created on 29 April 1993 by free-lance journalist and human rights activist Eldar Zeynalov. Zeynalov’s motive was his disagreement with the restored political censorship in the Republic of Azerbaijan, which blocked the publications about the human rights violations in the country, and the necessity of the permanent information of local and global organizations on the human rights situation in country.
ACET is a Bulgarian non-governmental organization established in late 1995. Its main goals are the cessation of practices on the use of torture and rehabilitation of victims of torture.
ASTRA is a local grass-root non-governmental organization dedicated to the eradication of all forms of trafficking in human beings, especially in women and children, as well as an efficient search for missing children and protection of children after they have been found, applying a comprehensive approach, with the aim of eliminating this specific form of violence by promoting a society free of all forms of exploitation, violence, discrimination and economic and social inequalities.
OMCT allows various member NGOs to gain specialised knowledge on the workings of UN human rights bodies. According to the principle of “on-hand training”, OMCT works with local NGOs on the preparation of Alternative reports that are presented to UN committees, such as the Human Rights Committee and the Committee against Torture.
Motivation was established in 1995 and since then been working for the rights of and has been providing support to children and youth with disabilities in Romania. The services we offer cover a wide range of needs of children and adults with disabilities, from equipment suitable for different types of mobility disabilities, in rehabilitation therapy and independent living training, with an instructor in the wheelchair. Their programs focus on social, educational and professional inclusion through consultancy for accessibility, by facilitating employment of people with disabilities, through day center services or leisure activities such as adapted sports or cultural events.
A Romanian organisation fighting domestic violence. With a mission to defend the rights of spouses, victims of domestic violence and facilitate their legal and psychological counseling, rights of children, their protection against any abuse, elderly protection, their property and the right to life of all persons into a healthy environment.
Was established in 1996 in Romania and has two major activities: a social centre for children and a protected workshop for disabled young people to work. The organisation offers: welfare and care, education and supervision, psychological counseling for children and families, material and financial support for low income families.
Is a non-profit, founded by several Toronto doctors, lawyers and social service professionals, many of whom were associated with Amnesty International. The CCVT was incorporated in 1983 as the Canadian Centre for the Investigation and Prevention of Torture. The name was changed in 1988 to better reflect the Centre’s mandate. The Centre was the second such facility in the world to be established. The first was in Copenhagen in 1982. In 2003, CCVT was accredited to the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT).
The International Rescue Committee works to foster communities where women and girls are free from violence and have the rights and resources to promote their own safety and self-determination through the Women’s Protection and Empowerment Team comprised of 450 field staff and technical experts, including specialists in primary prevention, care for child survivors, economic programming, and service delivery, among others. Collectively, this team advances the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary for humanitarian workers to serve survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) with effective, comprehensive programming that meets the specific needs of women and girls. In partnership with communities and institutions, we advocate for and protect the rights of women and girls while cultivating conditions in which women and girls can recover from violence and thrive.
We work with people and organisations to find opportunities, solutions and strategies to address the difficulties faced by people with a mental illness. We trust that people can be well and must not be defined by their symptoms, and we work to support that belief. We promote hope and optimism and encourage healthy coping strategies that enhance the skills of people with mental illness.
SPIRASI is a humanitarian, intercultural, non-governmental organisation that works with asylum seekers, refugees and other disadvantaged migrant groups, with special concern for survivors of torture. In partnership with others, SPIRASI enables access to specialist services to promote the well-being of the human person, and encourages self-reliance and integration into Ireland.
ICHHR is an international and interdisciplinary team of educators, mental heath professionals, physicians, human rights law professionals, researchers, poets, neuroscientists, students and concerned world citizens brought together by a shared humanitarian vision: to strengthen communities through culturally sensitive, integrative mental health training that focuses on preventing and treating psychological trauma and building resilience in wounded communities. It is our belief that the practice of compassion is a shared responsibility.
Established in 1988, is a Right based Regional NGO with a long track record in resources production in issues related to community development. In addition, ARC has been a partner of the NCMH in its “Mental Health program for a new Generation in the Arab Countries” since 2005 which included resources production and adaptation.
AFESIP Cambodia is a legally registered non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-religious organization that cares for and secures the rights of women and girls victimized by human trafficking and sex slavery. It was established at the grass-roots level in 1996 because of the dire situations of thousands of victims forced into exploitation in and across Cambodian borders.
A Palestinian organization strengthening the link between health and human rights, prevention of torture and human rights abuse through research, advocacy, community assistance and the capacity building of health professionals.
Established in 1990, is a non governmental and non-profit organisation providing treatment and rehabilitation services for torture survivors and documenting human rights violations in Turkey. The HRFT grew out of the necessity to further promote the prevention of torture in Turkey where grave human rights violations left thousands of people tortured and traumatised.
A non-profit organization based in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA), committed to improving the effectiveness of international actors who provide humanitarian assistance, engage in peace practice, and are involved in supporting sustainable development.
Compilation of different cases of transitional justice processes undertaken by states that have undergone an armed conflict and aim at building peace while demanding accountability from those responsible for human rights violations committed in the past.
Short overview over the project on gender and reparations, ICTJ presents and is holding on with.
The MHPSS Network is a growing global platform for connecting people, networks and organizations, for sharing resources and for building knowledge related to mental health and psychosocial support both in emergency settings and in situations of chronic hardship. We aspire to building and shaping good practice in support of people affected by difficult events or circumstances.
Care for caregivers. To promote welness through training for caregivers. Sharing information on how workers in the field can deal with stressful situations. The Headington Institute provides some good online training courses. On their site you will find training courses that are helpful.
In partnership with The Oxford Mindfulness Centre a project called Mindfulness was created for NGOs aimed at building resilience and preventing burnout in frontline professionals through mindfulness-based training.
A group of professional and advocacy organizations that have joined forces to provide educational resources to individuals diagnosed with PTSD and their loved ones; those at risk for developing PTSD; and medical, healthcare and other frontline professionals.
This organisation believes that mental health is a right, not a privilege. For millions of mentally ill people around the world, this is not the case. For them, mental illness is a world of poverty, stigma and isolation. Basic Needs transforms lives by working with mentally ill people so that together, together we can build a world that mentally ill people feel proud to live in.