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Description
The project aims at reinforcing women’s rights culture as an essential aspect of democracy and fostering a gender-equal sense of citizenship in Latvia. Although at the legislative level Latvia has good formal indicators in gender equality, there are significant shortcomings in the implementation of legal norms and in the practical situation that women face. Violence level against women in Latvia is high and female victims of violence have difficulties integrating into society. In 2019 Gender Equality Index Latvia was ranked 18th in the EU. In almost all indicators Latvia''s result is lower than the EU average. Score in power indicates a lack of women''s participation in decision-making, low representation of women in parliament and local government, and lack of women in senior positions in business. Within the project advocacy will be carried out, ensuring a gender-equal perspective in the decision-making and civic participation processes. The most important policy-making and civic engagement initiatives are related to the ratification of the Istanbul convention, adoption of civil partnership law and Gender equality law, and reviewing of the Education law. Educational activities will include developing a handbook for activists with advice and tools for efficient civic engagement, as well as training for vulnerable groups to ensure skills and resources. As a result more women and youth will participate in civic activities and decision-making process, believing in their power to influence the political decisions, due to knowledge and experience gained. This will ensure the increase of women’s representation in politics and business and representation of their needs in laws and policies regarding protection and enforcement of women’s rights. The Donor project partner will help to ensure effective achievement of the project goals, looking for safe and competent contacts in the Nordic countries.
Summary of project results
Legal and practical gaps in gender equality: Despite strong formal indicators of gender equality in Latvia, significant issues persisted in both the implementation of laws and the daily challenges women faced.
Wage disparity and underrepresentation in leadership: Although Latvia was ranked highly for providing equal economic opportunities for women in 2019, women still experienced wage gaps, and their representation in high-level positions remained low.
Prevalence of violence against women: Violence against women in Latvia was more widespread than the European average, with 39% of women experiencing physical or sexual violence, and 60% facing emotional abuse.
Stigmatization of victims: Women and children who suffered from violence, especially those who were witnesses or victims, faced stigmatization that hindered their integration into society, reduced trust in the state, and undermined their belief in their ability to influence decisions.
Low gender equality index ranking: Latvia ranked 18th in the EU Gender Equality Index, with results below the EU average in several areas, except for time and work, reflecting persistent gender disparities.
Educational and employment segregation: Latvia ranked last in the EU for gender segregation in education and employment, which negatively impacted long-term female participation in economic, social, and political spheres.
Underrepresentation in decision-making: Women had limited involvement in decision-making processes, as reflected by their low political power score (44.1 points), indicating inadequate representation in government, parliament, and leadership roles.
Need for legal reforms: The UN Committee highlighted the necessity for various improvements, including the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, the adoption of the Gender Equality Law, and the inclusion of sexual and reproductive health education. They also recommended addressing the intersectional discrimination faced by women from vulnerable groups, such as those from minority ethnic backgrounds, elderly women, LGBT women, and women with disabilities.
Pre-election informative campaign about the importance of a woman''s perspective in decision-making processes
Five regional discussions were organized in Iecava, Cēsis, Liepāja, Rēzekne, and Riga. The discussions were divided into an interactive part and a conversation with female candidates. They focused on issues of women''s safety in economic, social, and private spheres. In addition, letters were sent to political parties, advocating for gender equality policies and the use of a "zipper principle" for gender-balanced lists. The campaign reached 7,350 people on social media and approximately 150 participants in events. The discussions resulted in nearly 30% of women being elected to the Saeima, with some becoming ministers.Young activist''s handbook
A 15-30 page handbook was prepared, offering guidance on effective civil activism strategies. It included templates for writing letters and documents and provided practical examples. The handbook was published on the website and was accompanied by training for 20-50 participants, including volunteers. It aimed to increase public engagement in gender equality issues and civic participation.Organization of marches and protests
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the planned March 8th march was canceled. Instead, an electronic card was distributed urging for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. This initiative reached 689 downloads and was shared 112 times. Additionally, five videos were created to raise awareness about the issue, with almost 5,000 views. A solidarity event with Ukraine was also organized, focusing on sexual violence during the war. The March 8th Women''s Solidarity March involved around 200 people and received media coverage.Seminar for trafficking victims on participation in elections
Three seminars were held to inform trafficking victims about voting procedures and gender equality considerations. Although the target of 20 participants was not met, seven victims attended, and the seminars focused on practical issues related to voting.Trafficking victims’ stories
Two video testimonies of trafficking victims were filmed and shared in two seminars. The seminars, attended by around 50 participants, provided in-depth insights into the victims'' experiences, helping specialists understand the issues better and promoting victims'' engagement in civic activities.Advocacy activities
Weekly reviews were conducted on parliamentary agendas, focusing on issues related to domestic violence and gender equality. Expert meetings were held to prepare positions for discussions on various topics. The Center Marta participated in multiple government meetings, such as those on the integration of gender equality principles and family violence reduction measures.Preparation of recommendations for legislative changes
Letters were sent to the Ministry of Welfare with recommendations for changes in social rehabilitation laws for victims of violence. Expert meetings were held to discuss best practices, and work continued on recommendations for improving social services.Alternative report preparation
The activity involved preparing various alternative reports related to gender-based violence, legal frameworks, and human trafficking in Latvia. As an example -Report on available services for victims of gender-based violence in Latvia, Report on the attitude towards the Istanbul Convention in Latvia, Report on activities in 2022 for the prevention of human trafficking, Thematic report to the UN on the legal regulation of sexual violence in Latvia.
These activities collectively aimed at enhancing awareness and participation in gender equality and women''s rights, achieving substantial public engagement, and influencing policy decisions.
Main impact: The activities, particularly those involving broader audiences such as campaign creation workshops in regions, debates at the LAMPA festival, the Women’s Solidarity March, and others, successfully engaged participants and sparked interest in gender equality issues. This impact was evident both immediately, through active participation, and long-term, as it led to increased interest in gender equality topics, higher voter engagement, and more frequent expression of opinions on current issues.
Influence on decision-making: Advocacy documents created throughout the project had a significant impact on decision-making processes. Several positive changes were achieved during the implementation of the project, including the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, amendments to the Criminal Code, and an expansion of the range of social services available in Latvia.
Beneficiaries: The beneficiaries of these activities were the general public, particularly women and marginalized groups, who became more actively engaged in civic participation, including voting and expressing opinions on relevant social issues. Additionally, the broader society benefited from the policy changes that directly impacted legal protections and social services.
Summary of bilateral results
Involvement of Norwegian and other Nordic experts in the project activities, added an international perspective, shared best practice examples, and promoted the project''s visibility in Norway. The political and civil engagement situation in Norway was discussed, and the most effective activities that have improved women''s participation on electoral lists were identified. Opportunities for expert involvement in the AIF event at the LAMPA festival were also explored while preparing the program. In the process of creating the Activist''s Handbook, communication with the partner organization provided insights into their experiences in Åndalsnes, where they organized democracy festivals, marches, and protests, as well as other activities promoting and sustaining democracy. This information inspired the creation of the handbook and contributed to its development.