PROOF: Media For Social Justice

“The real strategy around what we do with them, is really either to get people to have policy change, or attitude change, or education. In the Congo, for example, we sought to give women the courage to stand up, and that’s exactly what we achieved.” – Executive Director and Founder of PROOF: Media for Social Justice Leora Kahn

As discussed in the first part of this series, “Part 1: International Human Rights Organization Dives Deep into Local Lives to Dig Up Injustice”, PROOF: Media for Social Justice is a human rights activist organization that utilizes visual storytelling to highlight human rights and promote peace building across the globe.  For this article, I will be featuring a few of PROOF’s most successful, and nobel campaigns; of which include “Darfur” and “The Legacy of Rape”.  Be sure to look for part 3 of this series to learn more about the Executive Director and Founder of PROOF Leora Kahn, and how PROOF got started in “PROOF Part 3: An International Human Rights Photo Editor’s Legacy”.

“Darfur”

Since the start of the 21st century, Africa’s largest region Darfur has had a number of atrocities occur within its borders.  In the aftermath, PROOF found itself in the Sudan after a genocide in 2003 that resulted in nearly 400,000 deaths from violence, disease, and malnutrition.  The U.N.’s 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment on the Crime of Genocide finally gave permission for participating countries to take steps to prevent such actions, once the event in Sudan was officially declared as a genocide.  “Darfur” was PROOF’s first and foremost campaign, and has been showcased in places around the US, used to educate people and students on the topic of genocide.  Institutions and galleries that featured this campaign include the Holocaust Museum of Houston, JFK Highschool in New York, and Boston Public Library.

“The Legacy of Rape”

“The Legacy of Rape” project seeks to change both local and international policy, and enhance awareness about the worlds most prevalent weapon of war- rape.  According to proof.org, target audiences include policymakers, academics, legal experts, and program specialists whose reach extends beyond the international stage to the field.  “The Legacy of Rape” Campaign has been showcased in areas around the world, which include places like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yale University, Geneva, Switzerland, and the Eastern Congo.