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Description
The Partnership with a Cause project reflects the need to combat gender-based violence among Roma women by developing sustainable strategies for interaction and empowerment to prevent violence and encourage the search for help and support.
The aim of the project is to offer new approaches in working with vulnerable groups of women in Ruse region, by involving them in these processes; to increase the capacity of professionals to apply a gender-sensitive approach to the prevention of violence in their work with vulnerable groups of women; to raise a debate on the role of Roma women in society; to raise public awareness of the problems of Roma women and the multiple discrimination they face.
The focus of the project is the establishment of a Counseling Center with free assistance for Roma women in Ruse, which will conduct outreach receptions in the municipalities of Ruse region. Attention is paid to adolescents and their early upbringing for intolerance of domestic violence and respect for human rights. Last but not least, the integrated approach of the project includes in its actions the regional media, which will be involved in the process of prevention and protection of domestic violence based on gender with a focus on the Roma community.
The project will be implemented by organizations with many years of experience in working with the Roma community and the problems of domestic violence: Association "Center Dynamics" Ruse and Club "Open Society" Ruse. The Ruse District Administration also supports the implementation as a partner.
Summary of project results
The main objective of the `Partnership with a Cause` project was to contribute to the development of an integrated approach to improve the situation of victims of domestic violence with a focus on the Roma community in Ruse region.
The project reflects the need to counteract gender-based violence among Roma women through the development of sustainable models of interaction and empowerment to prevent violence and encourage help seeking and support.
A number of information meetings have also been held in the municipalities of the Ruse region.
A Consultative Center for Prevention and Protection from Domestic Violence has been established.
34 outreach receptions with the participation of a psychologist, a social worker and a lawyer were implemented in Ruse region.
A best practices report has been compiled to enhance domestic violence prevention strategies.
Many experts from the Ruse region have received training on the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence.
A Consultation Center were set up, offering free support to 290 individuals and families.
Targeted awareness-raising campaigns have been carried out with the direct participation of Roma women and children through information meetings and awareness-raising campaigns in the villages.
240 students from 12 schools in Ruse region were trained in social skills, effective communication skills and non-violent conflict resolution; overcoming stereotypes in behavior based on gender characteristics of the personality.
8 information and training days were held for professionals in the 8 municipalities of Ruse region - judges, prosecutors, lawyers, police officers, social workers, etc., who are involved in the prevention and counteraction of domestic violence.
Representatives of regional and national media were trained to correct report on gender-based domestic violence with a focus on the Roma community.