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Description
One in three women has personal experience of physical or sexual violence, and one in five has been the victim of dangerous stalking. According to research, approximately 12,000 rapes are committed in the Czech Republic every year. However, only about 600 rapes are reported to the police each year. This means that although there are an average of 34 rapes a day in our country, only one or two of them are reported to the police.
The Voice Against Violence project aims to implement an awareness campaign including advocacy activities to prevent and combat undesirable stereotypes and causes of gender-based violence.
As part of the 20-month project, we will implement a Voice Against Violence awareness and advocacy campaign to raise public and political awareness of violence against women and the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention).
We will achieve this through a nationwide social media campaign (indirect reach of 500,000), public debates and workshops in the regions (850 people), cooperation with supporters (150), and advocacy work (addressing 281 politicians/people).
The project will help women as the most frequent victims of gender-based violence and raise awareness of the problem of violence against women within our society.
Summary of project results
This project has contributed to awareness and support for victims of gender-based violence. The Istanbul Convention, an international agreement aimed at preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, had been awaiting ratification since 2016,so it was important to secure public and political support for it. Challenges included combating misinformation and prejudices, responding to current developments and statements by politicians, and coordination with external partners.
Project promoter implemented activities aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence. Awareness campaigns: project reached the public through the media and social networks, reaching more than 669,000 people. Project promoter created information materials that explained the issue of violence against women and the importance of the Istanbul Convention. Educational workshops and debates: Project promoter organised events attended by 1,642 people, helping to dispel myths about the Istanbul Convention and raise awareness about violence prevention. Advocacy: project promoter focused on lobbying and advocacy for legislative changes, including the redefinition of rape. Organized two seminars in the Parliament on the Istanbul Convention and reached 237 politicians. These activities helped to change public opinion and increase pressure on politicians to take the necessary legislative action, as evidenced by a public awareness survey on the Istanbul Convention which showed a 17% increase in public opinion compared to the start of the project.
The campaign aimed at preventing domestic violence reached 669,814 people and generated 231 outputs. Building contacts with journalists increased the media visibility of the topic. Project mobilized 2,803 supporters. Public debates were attended by 1,132 people and workshops by 510, which exceeded expectations. Due to the increase in debates and workshops, 4.86 new jobs were created instead of the planned 3. The project promoted gender equality, education and cooperation with key actors.