II I N T E G R AT I N G A G E N D E R P E R S P E C T I V E I N T O H U M A N R I G H T S I N V E S T I G AT I O N S • G U I D A N C E A N D P R A C T I C E F CHECKLIST CHECKLIST FOR INVESTIGATION AND INFORMATION-GATHERING ;; Identify a wide range of potential sources of information, including victims and direct witnesses, as well as secondary sources or intermediaries, such as United Nations entities, civil society groups, experts and activists, paying particular attention to the gender diversity of the sample of sources selected. These should include – as far as possible – equal representation of men and women. ;; Ensure the investigation coordinates and collaborates with relevant United Nations entities as well as international and local human rights, women’s rights and LGBTI persons’ rights organizations, networks and groups, human rights organizations representing victims, health-care providers and humanitarian actors, in order to obtain information on women’s human rights, including (but not only) on SGBV, and, as necessary, establish contact with victims and witnesses. Be particularly attentive to not overlooking intermediaries, sources (including victims and witnesses) and secondary sources who would be best placed to provide information on women’s human rights or gender-specific aspects of the violations and LGBTI persons’ rights, as well as on gender equality and women’s and girls’ status in the society. ;; Identify the prevailing challenges that might prevent or inhibit women’s participation and their voices from being heard (as men’s voices generally tend to be overrepresented). Set specific strategies to address these challenges, to enable and facilitate the disclosure of information on the violations women may have suffered or on the differentiated impact that the particular events, conflict or crisis has/had on women and girls. Specific strategies may include organizing public hearings, including women-only days, and other measures that encourage women’s participation, such as adjusted schedules facilitating their interaction (e.g. after working/active hours), considering childcare options, suggesting the possibility of remote interviewing, etc. Particular attention should be paid in relation to outreach and dissemination of information in order to reach out to a wide variety of the targeted population, including women, LGBTI persons and other marginalized populations. ;; Ensure that interviews are conducted in such a way that gender-specific questions are asked and can illustrate and inform on the differentiated impact of the human rights violations on women, girls, men and boys. Ensure that the information gathered also aims at documenting the violation of women and girls, beyond sexual violence, and documenting the differentiated impact of the violations on them. ;; Take measures to ensure that all Human Rights Officers have the competencies and the skills to conduct investigations on GBV. Ensure that support/training is regularly provided to the team on how to do so and how best to record the interviews and gather documentation. Investigate different forms of GBV by state officials, non-state armed groups and other non-state actors. If relevant, address all prevalent forms of sexual violence, not only rape, 36