Description
The main goal of the project is the development and capacity-building of participating NGOs and through that to promote gender equality in Estonian society by reducing the poverty of mothers and children. Another aim is improving the enforcement of child maintenance obligations through changes in both legislation and societal attitudes. The expected outcome of the project is that by 2016, Estonian society recognizes better that to achieve gender equality, it is necessary that both parents of a child fulfill their legal obligations. Steps have been taken to make changes in legislation to improve the access of single parents to alimony. The whole issue of gender equality will also be better acknowledged by both direct and indirect target groups. A working (pressure) group will be formed at the beginning of the project and operate throughout implementation. The group will include representatives from partner organizations and different experts. Key activities of the group will include: Gathering information about best practices in other countries, analyzing the current Estonian system and identifying problematic areas, developing recommendations on how to improve the system for obtaining child support, engaging in lobbying and meeting with relevant policy makers and public administrators, and raising the issue of child support in the media through opinion articles and other ways to ensure that relevant cases are covered. Awareness raising events will also be held for policy makers, the general public and single parents to educate them about the issue. The range of activities are based on the need to consolidate all stakeholders who come into contact with the poverty of single parents. All these parties can form an effective group to raise the advocacy capacity on the issue.
Summary of project results
The project raised the capacity of participating NGOs and promoted gender equality in Estonian society through the poverty of mothers and children. The enforcement of child maintenance obligations through changes in both legislation and societal attitudes were dealt with. As Child Support Reimbursement Fund was introduced by the State, the project implemented awareness raising acivities of single parents and held developed network of different actors in the field. A research study was carried out to analyse the situation of single parent households in Estonia and the financial obligations regarding child support.
Summary of bilateral results