Imkaan is a Black feminist organisation dedicated to addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG). Our work is focused on the needs and aspirations of Black and minoritised (BME) women - i.e., women and girls who are defined in policy terms as Black and 'Minority Ethnic' (BME).  Imkaan uses the term 'Black' in the political sense, to encompass all women whose herstorys originate from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America, including the indigenous women & girls of Australasia, the Americas and the islands of the Atlantic Indian and Pacific Oceans.

A Black feminist perspective recognises that sexism, racism and other forms of oppression are inextricably bound together; we strive for equality as a diverse movement by overcoming the intersecting oppressions experienced by Black and minoritised (BME) women and girls.

BY AND FOR

We are a globally unique network that connects organisations ‘led by and for’ Black and minoritised women working towards ending violence against women and girls.

Imkaan members are 'by and for' specialist ending VAWG organisations, that are led by Black and minoritised women for Black and minoritised women and children. Imkaan research has found that the ‘by and for’ model offers women and children a uniquely empowering experience, as women and children are able to see themselves reflected in the staffing, management and governance structures of member organisations.  

Our membership includes organisations providing a diverse range of services including refuge accommodation, advice, outreach, women-only spaces, health services, legal services, therapeutic services, and women's empowerment groups.

Imkaan provides support, representation and leadership to our members through capacity building, sustainability support, strategic advocacy, development work, research and information and training. We further seek to create spaces and platforms for Black and minoritised women's organisations in the UK and internationally, to share expertise and campaign together around collectively felt issues.

BLACK & MINORITISED WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP AND STAFFING

At Imkaan, we recognise that violence against women and girls is a fundamental violation of our human rights.  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 minoritised women to define our perception of human rights, identify our own priorities and to strengthen our voices at national and international levels.

As such we actively promote the leadership, autonomy and self-determination of Black and minoritised women.  Imkaan recognises that we live in a racist and misogynistic society, shaped by imperialism and colonialism.  In this context, the support provided to Black and minoritised women by Black and minoritised women's organisations is uniquely and inherently empowering and must be respected and celebrated.

ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Imkaan believes that ending violence against women and girls requires a holistic approach.  Although the majority of members have an explicit vision in ending VAWG, Imkaan also recognises the invaluable work achieved by organisations that are, for example, providing Black and minoritised women and girls with political platforms, employment and training opportunities and Black and minoritised women-only spaces.

WOMEN ONLY

Imkaan's ethos is grounded in an understanding of the absolute centrality of women-only services, led by and for women in the work to end violence against women and girls.  Imkaan acknowledges the particularly vulnerable position of voluntary sector organisations in the current political climate and the disproportionate impact 'austerity measures' have had, and continue to have, on Black and minoritised women's organisations.

Increasingly, women's services are being put in positions where the survival of their core services to women is conditional upon providing services to men. Imkaan supports organisations with a continued commitment to retain or return to women-only service provision.

BROADER EQUALITY ISSUES

Imkaan's ethos is rooted in an understanding not only of the gendered nature of violence against women and girls, but also the way intersecting identities such as age, class, 'race', ethnicity, sexuality and disability can affect women and girl's journeys and experiences.  We seek to support organisations to embed this understanding throughout leadership, staffing, ethos, service development and service delivery.

Framing specific forms of violence as a custom, tradition, or within a cultural or religious context implies that violence against women and girls is an accepted norm or practice within certain communities and does not allow an interrogation of how patriarchy operates in specific situations.

Imkaan views all forms of violence against women and girls, including forced marriage, female genital mutilation, 'honour-based' violence, trafficking, prostitution and grooming as a cause and consequence of the unequal position of women and girls in society, and as a violation of our human rights.

MEMBERSHIP

Imkaan membership is available to 'led by and for' Black and minoritised women's organisations who share the values and practice outlined above.  Membership provides:

- involvement in our national network of specialist Black and minoritised ending VAWG women's organisations
- one-to-one advice and support to build organisational sustainability and development
- access to sector relevant information and research
- contribution to, and use of, research to evidence the value of specialist led by and for Black and minoritised  women's services
- opportunities to feed in to regional, national and international policy
- free and discounted training and accredited courses