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Description
The need for the project stems from the existence of prejudices and rules and expectations regarding women who have access to education, but their choices are still influenced by stereotypes. We want to draw attention to the problem of discrimination and violence based on gender and nationality. The project is particularly aimed at girls from the Ukraine who came to Poland fleeing the war. Thanks to the implementation of projects with similar objectives, we have recognized the urgent need to extend anti-discrimination measures to newcomers from Ukraine. As part of the project, we organise a Sisterhood Festival – an educational open event where a space for interactive activities, new knowledge and reflection on exclusion in everyday life is created. We conduct workshops for girls aged 15-18, workshops for educators and a Polish-Ukrainian Sisterhood Camp. We work on and implement initiatives related to the topics of anti-discrimination and gender equality. Through our activities we raise awareness of aggressive, exclusionary behaviour and develop skills to respond to it. We teach project participants how to resolve crisis situations, how to build dialogue based on democratic values and how to support vulnerable groups. The project is addressed to girls aged 15 to 18 from Poland and Ukraine living or studying in the Podkarpackie Province as well as to professionals working with young people (teachers, librarians, community centres staff, NGOs activists, etc.). Our partner is NorSensus Mediaforum - a Norwegian NGO involving young people in civil society building and community development.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to create an atmosphere of sisterhood and mutual understanding, as well as to strengthen international communication and draw attention to stereotypes, prejudices and expectations regarding gender and origin. We addressed educational and empowerment activities to 24 direct recipients: girls aged 15-18 and 16 educators - people professionally working with young people. In this regard, a particular group to which we addressed our activities were girls from Ukraine, fleeing from the war, who are exposed to discrimination and violent behavior, not only due to their experiences related to the outbreak of the war, but also due to the social and cultural conditions with which they they arrived.
The project included activities:
1. Sisterhood Festival - 3 days of workshops, meetings, discussion groups, attractions - conducted by psychologists, anti-discrimination trainers, social activists and experienced personal develo+Z174:Z175he field of correct attitudes, coping with discriminatory behavior and reacting to violence due to gender and origin.
3. A series of workshops for girls aged 15-18 - participants deepened their knowledge about discrimination, communication and social competences. The girls shared their experiences, inspiring stories and ideas.
4. Polish-Ukrainian sister camp (03-09/07/2023) - workshops, training and integration activities, conducted by professional trainers from Poland and Norway, strengthened the knowledge and social competences of the participants.
5. Social campaigns of project participants - three original campaigns were created, the aim of which is to encourage public opinion to dialogue on women''s rights, acceptance, diversity and counteracting violence. The main theme of the campaign was sisterhood, united strength, girls'' building of bonds and cooperation, without judging each other, regardless of origin or age.
6. Social initiatives - Educators developed and organized original social initiatives related to anti-discrimination, gender equality and equal treatment based on origin (workshops, educational activities and meetings).
The implementation of the project confirmed that anti-discrimination education is needed, that we need to speak out about the problems young girls face, and that there are still cultural patterns that say that girls should behave in a certain way, and boys are allowed more. Thanks to participation in the project, many participants experienced dramatic changes. We managed to remove the barriers that were instilled in our minds from an early age. The girls got out of their comfort zone and learned self-acceptance.
Summary of bilateral results
The partner''s role was to co-develop solutions and improve project processes, support during emerging project threats and risks: • Implementation of practices of the Norwegian non-governmental sector, • Support of the partner during preparation for the promotion of the anti-discrimination project in the Podkarpacie media, • Training of project staff regarding the methods and good practices used in the implementation of anti-discrimination projects • Cooperation with project participants: how to engage young people in building civil society (preparation of social campaigns) • Tightening partnership ties, informing about the current activities of both organizations and their achievements. Working together on the implementation of the "Polish-Ukrainian sisterhood" project allowed both organizations to develop to participate in other empowerment activities, increase the professional competences of project employees, and it was particularly important for us to be able to use the knowledge of people working in non-governmental organizations in Norway - process improvement design, learning about innovative approaches and new operating methodologies.