ON - Omidyar Network

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WITNESS trains and supports people around the world to use video and online technologies to transform personal stories of human rights violations into powerful tools for justice, public engagement, and policy change. 

Why We Invested

WITNESS is the global leader in using video for effective advocacy. Omidyar Network first invested in WITNESS five years ago, supporting its efforts to enable people to take action against human rights violations. Human rights abuses often remain undocumented since survivors typically have little access to technology, media outlets, or decision-makers. WITNESS launched the Hub as part of a larger programmatic strategy to address this critical unmet need. A global channel for human rights media and action, the Hub provides the opportunity for individuals, organizations, networks, and groups around the world to bring their human rights stories and campaigns to global attention and to mobilize action to protect and promote human rights.

WITNESS also provides training and support to local human rights groups so they can document stories of violence, injustice and abuse and place those in front of people who can make a difference. Through these training programs and the Hub, WITNESS brings these important stories to a global audience and provides decision-makers with access to powerful and credible information about human rights abuses around the world.

Impact

• Video documentation used to combat injustices such as forced labor in Burma, child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and sweatshops on U.S. soil
• Videos used to fight for justice in court and quasi-judicial hearings
• Partner footage on major networks around the world, including CNN, ABC, CBS, PBS, Al Jazeera, and BBC