Promoting
Human Rights through
fact-based documentaries

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Changing the world one documentary at a time.

THE WHY FOUNDATION is a non-profit media organization that supports sustainable development by securing free access to reliable information for millions of people around the world. We produce and distribute documentaries & multimedia content about human rights, democracy, justice and equality.

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25M
YOUTUBE VIEWS
100M
VIEWS PER FILM
191
COUNTRIES
100+
FILMS AVAILABLE
Read our 2023 Impact Report
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1. Production and acquisition of independent films
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2. Distribution through broadcasting, outreach activities and online platforms
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3. Engagement and influence through events and talks
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4. Action and change at personal, social and political levels
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Recent Highlights

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TEACHING 7000 STUDENTS ABOUT 
HUMAN RIGHTS

The school year has begun and our project, Ask Why? Docs, is back in Danish cinemas. 7000 students aged 13 to 17 from all parts of Denmark are going to see three human rights-focused documentary films during the coming months. According to UNICEF findings, 55% of Danish youth knows little to nothing about human rights. Ask Why? Docs ensures that the students are educated on the subject, by engaging them outside of the traditional classroom. Each film we show is followed by a Q&A with an expert, whose story is directly related to the topic of the film. This works to fully engage the students and allows them to reflect and ask questions immediately after watching a film. We are currently working to expand this project outside of Denmark. Read more about the project here.

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DOCUMENTARIES
AIRING NOW

Season 7 of  WHY STORIES is now showing on BBC World News to a weekly audience of 364 million people in over 200 countries and territories. One of the films is 'We Hold the Line' featuring Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa. See whats in the new season here.

REACHING RUSSIAN
SPEAKERS

In an effort to provide Russian speakers with human rights focused content, we've created a Russian YouTube channel. It has already accumulated 250.000 views across 9 countries. Visit the channel here.

News

"The Day I Will Never Forget”: Unveiling the Reality of Female Genital Mutilation

February 22, 2024

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THE WHY launches TikTok Channels in Hindi, Urdu & Farsi Targeting 30% of the World’s Population

February 5, 2024

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Screenings with Partner in Georgia Leads to Constructive Debates on the State of Democracy in the Country

February 5, 2024

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"The Day I Will Never Forget”: Unveiling the Reality of Female Genital Mutilation

THE WHY launches TikTok Channels in Hindi, Urdu & Farsi Targeting 30% of the World’s Population

Screenings with Partner in Georgia Leads to Constructive Debates on the State of Democracy in the Country

First WHY FREEDOM? Projects to be Announced in March

Danish Students Learn First Hand About War From New Ukrainian Guest Speaker

BBC World News & THE WHY: 9 Years and 100 Films

More News
Three awards: an Oscar, a Peabody, and a YouTube platinum.

Watch our award-winning documentaries

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Film of the Month

The Day I Will Never Forget

Kim Longinotto

THE DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET is a compelling feature documentary crafted by the esteemed filmmaker Kim Longinotto. The film delves into the deeply rooted tradition of female genital mutilation in Kenya, shedding light on the courageous African women determined to challenge and reverse this longstanding practice. From testimonials of young women recounting the painful aftermath of their experiences to conversations with steadfast elderly matriarchs defending the practice, Longinotto constructs a nuanced portrayal of how this ritual has survived well into contemporary times.
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Where We Are

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Outreach and Broadcasting Partners
THE WHY's Local Broadcasting Partners
THE WHY's Outreach Partners
BBC World's Reach (+200 countries and territories)

THE WHY works with partners across the world to extend free access to information for everyone.

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