As a second-tier, human rights organisation, with national membership, Imkaan represents the expertise and perspectives of frontline specialist women’s services that work to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. Imkaan’s work is focussed on the needs and aspirations of black and minority ethnic women. Imkaan uses the term ‘black’ in the political sense, to encompass all women wh
ose herstorys originate from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and South America, and indigenous peoples of Australasia, North America and the islands of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean. Our approach is rooted in an understanding not only of the gendered nature of violence against women and girls, but also the way intersecting factors such as age, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability can affect girls’ and women’s journeys and experiences. As such we actively promote the leadership, autonomy and self-determination of black and minority ethnic women and girls. At Imkaan, we recognise that violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a fundamental violation of our human rights and one that has implications within a range of human rights frameworks. We are committed to utilising (and expanding) existing human rights approaches in our work to end violence against women and girls. Imkaan aims to create safe spaces for black and minority ethnic women and girls, to define our perception of human rights, identify our own priorities and to strengthen our voices at national and international levels.
