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Description
The aim of the project is to raise the awareness of domestic violence prevention among residents of the Cieszyn Municipality and its surroundings. The project is implemented in partnership with the local government unit – the City of Cieszyn. We want to provide complex support for women in a difficult crisis situation. We will publish a free quarterly ‘A Bag, Like a Woman''s’ containing articles on domestic violence and personal development. We will set up a support group called Circle of Women, organize cyclical workshops, meetings, lectures and conduct individual consultations. When creating the plan of this project, we were wondering how to reach out to the widest possible group of women and respond to their various problems and needs. We know that a long-lasting, difficult situation which is hard to cope with and solve on one’s own, very often triggers an impulse for self-development. Such a situation can affect different life-spheres, but it can also have a negative impact on quality of life. However, we want to deal with it in the first place, because it causes the greatest discomfort. Solving a crisis situation often becomes an impulse for further changes and personal development, which results in a better life.
Summary of project results
The project "The power of the powerless - a system of mutual support within the women''s circle" was aimed at 50 adult residents of the Silesian Voivodeship who were facing an emotional crisis. The long-term goal of the project was to equip the participants with resources that they would use to change the current situation, but also to coping with crises in the future. The problem of violence is a socially shameful topic, especially in small and hermetic communities such as Cieszyn and the surrounding area, it is often hidden behind closed doors. Violence and discrimination bring about specific changes in the way an individual functions and his/her self-esteem. During the recruitment process, the women were convinced of their own weakness. It was clear to us that all these "powerless" beings use enormous strength every day to survive. The only thing they needed was to direct their power to fight for themselves. As the surveys show post-training, this effect was achieved - as many as 92.8% of the surveyed women (56 out of 74 participants took part in the study) still continue to work on themselves.
We were sure that the help had to be holistic. That is why we divided our activities into 6 six-month thematic cycles, in which participants worked in permanent, closed groups on their problems, at workshops, and in the women''s circle. Each participant also had the opportunity to meet with a specialist of their choice during individual consultations. The problem encountered during the implementation of the activities was the participants'' resistance to revealing themselves to others, as well as not always full attendance at classes. However, taking into account the effects, it should be concluded that these problems were natural to this process and did not affect the effectiveness of the activities. The circles effect had therapeutic power. The project''s success came unexpectedly quickly. The numbers show how much this initiative was needed: a total of 228 participants were recruited and took part in subsequent cycles and additional lectures.
Products and activities in numbers:
1. The publication "Torebka jak damska" dealing with the issue of social exclusion and domestic violence - a supplement to the quarterly Tramwaj Cieszyński in a total circulation - 7 issues, 21,000 pieces
2. 36 hours of lectures conducted by specialists in the field of psychology, development, building self-esteem,
3. 45 hours of additional lectures
4. 216 hours of specialized workshops and 12.5 hours of body work workshops
5. 108 hours of meetings within the Women''s Circle
6. 377 hours of individual consultations (according to the participants'' needs)
7. 1 local partnership concluded between the Foundation and the City of Cieszyn
8. 40 participants of promotional events
9. 228 participants of workshops, lectures and women''s circle
The analysis of qualitative data indicates a clear change in the perception of themselves and their situation in most participants. It also shows that participation in the project itself, and especially the opportunity to be in a group, gives the opportunity to meet the needs of belonging and closeness. It develops, heals, strengthens and brings improvement, e.g. in the area of strengthening self-esteem, reducing anxiety, reducing the feeling of loneliness and exclusion.
The aim of the project was to support the participants in changing their life situation and increasing their level of satisfaction in various areas. For healthy human functioning, it is necessary to meet basic needs. Only "satiety" in this area opens the possibility of working on the individual''s self-realization, i.e. autonomy, self-fulfillment and life satisfaction. The structure of individual cycles was designed in such a way as to support participants in meeting specific categories of needs - where they experienced the greatest deficits. Subsequent lectures, workshops, consultations and support group meetings were aimed at building awareness of oneself, one''s own feelings, emotions and body, and, consequently, were to teach constructive ways of meeting one''s own needs. The participants also had the opportunity to gain insight into the mechanisms that block the ability to smoothly satisfy their needs, such as unsupportive beliefs, often unconscious defense mechanisms or destructive thoughts. The fact that 91.07% of these women decided to continue development work in various forms is optimistic and proves that the project definitely allowed them to look deep inside themselves and find out what is good for them and how to work on themselves. . The project''s products and results are permanent and are still used in the Foundation''s activities. Therefore, we will continue to direct our offer to women and men interested in changing their lives, developing, and supporting them in overcoming internal crises.