Practical Tool No. 2 Information-gathering exercise While the appropriate methods used to gather information vary depending on the circumstances, there are common challenges that arise concerning identifying/contacting victims or witnesses, obtaining statements and planning field missions. The team might need to consider different approaches in order to ensure that women’s and men’s voices are equally represented. The team might choose to map out possible challenges and develop appropriate strategies in order to gather information, as indicated in the examples below. Challenges • Building trust and rapport with the communities and potential victims or witnesses, given inadequate time on the ground • Obtaining statements from female or male victims and witnesses, given their fear of retaliation, security concerns, perceived lack of time due to household responsibilities and/or lack of self-agency • Identifying and contacting potential victims or witnesses, given existing gender dynamics Suggested strategies  Establish contact with intermediaries as early as possible and communicate the wish to speak with women as well as men (intermediaries might include social workers, activists, hospital staff and journalists, for example)  Gather inputs from local organizations and civil society networks, including women’s groups or others who are familiar with gender concerns, cultural aspects and protection issues that might be relevant for the information-gathering process  Establish contact with victims or witnesses through local organizations and networks, including women’s human rights organizations and LGBTI networks that have established trust within the communities  Consider alternatives to in-person interviews with victims, such as interviews with service providers, written statements or, when relevant, telephone interviews or other secure online channels  Adapt the team’s information-gathering strategies if necessary. In some instances, it might be appropriate, for example, to first speak with a male member of a woman’s family, or religious leaders, in order to explain the reasons for the interview Previously successful strategies for consideration Introduce a “women-only day” during the field mission – a day specifically dedicated to women to enable them to express their views and to better document their experiences (A/HRC/29/CRP.1, para. 47) Contact women’s networks and groups to request their assistance in collecting written testimonies from a range of women (A/HRC/29/CRP.4, para. 12) Promote women’s participation by facilitating their ability to bring their children with them. Other women to be interviewed could look after the children while their mothers were being interviewed (A/HRC/36/CRP.1/Rev.1) Adjust the methodology to accommodate female victims and witnesses’ needs and constraints, for example by carrying out telephone interviews with women after working hours (A/HRC/29/CRP.1, para. 47) 29