Justice for War-Affected Communities Through Advocacy Enabled By Data And Technology

In the realm of war crimes, advocacy and outreach serve as guardians of justice, ensuring that the voices of affected individuals resound and accountability prevails. Proper collection, storage, and utilisation of data are central to effective advocacy, which provides crucial insights and supports evidence-based research and analysis.

Data serves as the cornerstone for understanding the scope and nature of the issues at hand, identifying key stakeholders, and prioritising areas for action. Quantitative data, such as statistics and research findings, adds credibility to advocacy messages, rendering them more compelling. Furthermore, data enables the measurement of impact, demonstrating achievements and highlighting areas for improvement. This feedback loop refines strategies and ensures accountability, while facilitating the formation of alliances and partnerships through common understanding and support for advocacy goals.

Data-driven advocacy also plays a vital role in influencing policy decisions, as policymakers are more inclined to act when presented with compelling data. Therefore, it is essential to collect and use data responsibly, ensuring its accuracy, relevance, and ethical use.

Technology serves as a valuable ally in advocacy efforts by providing powerful communication tools to engage a broader audience. Digital platforms and tools designed for advocacy streamline efforts by making them more efficient and impactful.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) serves as a prime example of an organisation deeply engaged in advocacy and outreach to aid victims of war crimes. PHR conducts investigations and reports on human rights abuses, provides medical expertise in documenting evidence, and advocates for justice and accountability. Their groundbreaking MediCapt mobile application revolutionises the collection and secure storage of forensic evidence of sexual violence, fundamentally transforming how evidence is gathered and preserved.

MediCapt offers clinicians a digital platform for gathering detailed evidence, including forensic photographs of survivors’ injuries. This evidence can be securely stored in the cloud and shared with law enforcement agencies, aiding in investigations and prosecutions.

We are NOT Weapons of War (WWoW), is another noteworthy organisation dedicated to combating sexual violence linked to armed conflict. For several years now, WWoW has collaborated with InTech, a Luxembourg-based company with a global reach, in developing the BackUp web application. This tool serves as a vital instrument for reporting and identifying victims, as well as collecting, storing, and analysing information on sexual violence and other crimes in the context of armed conflict. It empowers victims by giving them a voice and helps to collect information that can then be used as legal evidence.

The BackUp web application offers a comprehensive view of crime data, including crime locations, victim and perpetrator profiles, and areas of high prevalence. Managed by WWoW, the ultra-secure back office features an API system for local partners to autonomously manage cases. This analysis tool categorises data in real time, providing valuable insights for crime predication and prevention.

Conflict-related sexual violence is a global issue, transcending continents, regions, and communities. The interactive map, compiled from public sources and constantly updated through BackUp tool, is a dynamic resource that continues to evolve as more data is collected and analysed, helping to shed light on this pervasive issue.

Innovations like MediCapt and BackUp are revolutionising the gathering and preservation of evidence, bringing renewed hope to survivors of sexual violence. Strategic use of data and technology is paramount in advocacy efforts for victims of war crimes, as these tools not only enhance advocacy strategies but also amplify voices and drive impactful social change.