Description
This project aims at raising the awareness of young people to the issue of gender violence, which is not sufficiently addressed by the education system, and to accumulate experience which will contribute to the improvement of the education policies regarding gender equality. The project, to be implemented in northern Portugal, will work with juvenile delinquents, institutions dealing with students and professionals dealing with gender violence. Primary prevention actions will be promoted among young people, to accomplish behavioural change. These actions will namely include the implementation of a primary prevention programme for the youths themselves, through the use of art tools, as well as awareness sessions with families and communities. On the other hand, the training of professionals, an important tool for prevention, is also foreseen. The project will also provide for dissemination actions regarding good practice in violence prevention and juvenile delinquency.
Summary of project results
Working the issue of gender violence with young people and technicians is fundamental for building a society that can deal with conflicts in a peaceful way. In 2013, offenses to physical integrity within the school was the most common type of peer violence (292 participations), and in what regards juvenile delinquency, 1940 cases were registered. Violence within the family or intimate relations is an oppressive pattern where more than 80% of victims are women. Gender violence in Portugal is a problem that requires changes in public policy that will effectively result in behavioural changes. In one of its previous projects, the promoter was able to accomplish a measurable behavioural improvement amongst the youths involved; and of course, it is very important to work with people still in the process of developing their personalities. Throughout the 18 months of the project, several activities for the prevention of gender violence and promotion of human rights were undertaken. One of the key elements were the 683 sessions with school classes in the various schools where the project intervened – 37 groups in the District of Porto. In addition, various training actions were carried out with technicians, teachers and operational assistants, as well as awareness actions such as a highly visible photo exhibit, which had already been shown in 6 municipalities by the time the project was completed. A manual on prevention of juvenile violence and delinquency was produced as well, to organise and disseminate methodologies and lessons learned. The project has surpassed its ambitions: adaptation of 5 school curricula to take on board combat to gender violence (namely violence during relationship), 9 services provided to the municipalities involved (including training courses), awareness-raising on these issues involving 3 600 citizens, behavioural improvement of 1 083 youngsters regarding gender violence and 37 cooperation activities with local authorities. With the collaboration of the Directorate General for Prisons (Ministry of Justice), the project was also able to include young inmates as beneficiaries. The promoter gained further experience and its staff has been trained in this area, and thus will be better prepared to ensure sustainability/replication of the project.
Summary of bilateral results