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Description
The project will address the need for awareness and education about gender-based violence, and the need for a diverse support network in the city helping with escaping the cycle of violence. This problem will be addressed by providing a training workshop to ambassadors of local shops/service spaces who are in contact with the public in their daily activity, for them to be able to understand the situation and the mechanisms of GBV and learn how to provide initial support to victims who need to escape the cycle of violence. The training workshops will be provided in project promoter''s space in Thessaloniki to one group of 20 people from the local community who are interested in being educated to GBV and to find concrete solutions to support the victims. There will be a 3-day workshop (Friday and weekend). The project is going to present two-direction results. Firstly from the workshops there will be two different artistic outcomes that will exhibited in Thessaloniki’s various places, accompanied with a brochure contacted by the workshop participants, stating the principal information about GBV. Second result and related to the core of the project, is having participants in position to identify a GBV victim and provide her the basic information brochure with all authorities that can contribute to her exit from the cycle of violence. Training participants will raise their awareness on gender issues and GBV through informal and interactive methodologies like group work, role play, debates, creative activities. They will be able to multiply their knowledge and good practices skills to their colleagues and peers. By the end of the project, victims will have more opportunities to escape the cycle of violence thanks to the awareness and adequate support from our network of safe spaces in Thessaloniki, as 20 spaces will be prepared to act and accompany them. The local community of Thessaloniki will have developed its general awareness towards GBV.
Summary of project results
The program had the goal of heightening awareness among neighborhood professionals who, unknowingly, might encounter victims of domestic violence in their daily interactions. It aimed to equip them with training to offer essential information for assistance and to provide a temporary safe environment until the relevant agencies take over.
20 neighborhood professionals underwent training on the concept of consent, the fundamentals of gender-based violence, and various forms of violence.
The workshop also involved the creation of a collective artwork (mosaic) and the development of an information leaflet containing first aid phone numbers for instances of gender-based violence.
The project yielded several positive outcomes and impacts:
1. Increased Awareness and Knowledge: The training sessions significantly enhanced the awareness and knowledge of 20 neighborhood professionals regarding the concept of consent, the fundamentals of gender-based violence, and the diverse forms of violence. This heightened understanding empowers these professionals to recognize and address instances of gender-based violence in their communities.
2. Skill Enhancement: The workshop not only imparted theoretical knowledge but also provided practical skills. The creation of a collective artwork (mosaic) allowed participants to express their understanding artistically, fostering a deeper connection to the subject matter. The development of an information leaflet equipped them with tangible tools, including crucial first aid phone numbers, to respond effectively to cases of gender-based violence.
3. Community Engagement: The collective artwork (mosaic) serves as a powerful symbol of community unity against gender-based violence. It not only engages the professionals but can also serve as a conversation starter within the community, further spreading awareness and encouraging dialogue on the issue.
4. Immediate Support System: The information leaflet containing first aid phone numbers establishes a quick and accessible support system for individuals facing gender-based violence. This resource can potentially save lives by providing immediate assistance to those in need.
5. Empowerment of Vulnerable Individuals: The ultimate beneficiaries of this project are the individuals facing gender-based violence in the community. By arming neighborhood professionals with knowledge, skills, and resources, the project creates a supportive environment that empowers victims to seek help and take necessary actions against violence.
In summary, the project achieved outcomes ranging from knowledge enhancement and skill development among professionals to community engagement and the establishment of a tangible support system. The ultimate impact is the empowerment and improved well-being of individuals experiencing gender-based violence in the community.