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Description
The necessity of this project lies in the problem of gender-based violence (GBV) in the form of bullying or aggressive treatment that young people face in schools, families or communities, 73% of children claimed that they witnessed a bullying situation in their school (Save the children, 2016), while according to CJRAE Bacau, in 2019, 1082 students that received counseling were involved in situations of violence, either as victims or abusers. The project aims to reduce gender-based violence and violence among young people from poor areas (rural or small urban) by raising awareness and increasing their ability to identify, report and stand up against GBV. It will contribute to the empowerment of potential victims, developing young people''s individual skills and understanding of human rights and equal treatment. Gender-based violence causes long-term consequences such as lower self-esteem, anxiety, depression, acceptance and/or repetition of violent behavior in their future families. The project aims to achieve: 1 policy paper on recommendations and proposals regarding gender-based violence that will be sent to the Ministry of Education; training sessions addressed to high school youth to make them aware of what GBV entails; board-game development and awareness platforms to make interaction with students more effective; development of a manual addressed to teachers and trainers that is related to the subject addressed; opinion poll on the perception of gender-based violence. 400 young people, 20 teachers and minimum 5 NGOs from Bacau and Ilfov counties will benefit from project activities that consist in workshops, training of trainers, development of tools and advocacy for prevention of GBV.
The Partner from Norway will carry out a needs analysis and will develop and held a training of trainers’ session on GBV area/intervention tools. The Romanian partner will help in developing a VBG monitoring report and carry out activities with young people together with SECS.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to reduce gender-based violence among young people by raising awareness and increasing their capacity to identify, report and oppose GBV in the communities of Bacău and Ialomita.
Thus, a collaboration network was created between schools, NGOs and public institutions for the prevention of gender-based violence and the promotion of real societal change. During the implementation period, the project generated important results: the project gained visibility through online conferences, press releases, and regular activity on social media and dedicated websites (A2). The research and monitoring of GBV prevention policies were reflected in a detailed report made following an extensive data collection process within the A3 activity. A training manual was created, and the train-the-trainers program was successfully implemented (A4). Educational materials such as a teacher’s manual, a board game, and an awareness brochure were developed to support teachers in addressing GBV topics in schools (A5). Partnerships were also signed and 2 collaboration platforms were developed, one in Bacău and one in Ialomița, mobilizing teachers and school counselors who identified effective solutions for involving young people to prevent gender-based violence. As part of the project, 59 practical and awareness sessions were held with 773 students from 34 high schools. Politically, a public policy document was submitted to authorities, along with an online petition. Regarding the organizational development activity, the organization’s headquarters were renovated, the staff attended strategic communication training, and a new communication strategy was implemented, along with the development of an e-learning platform.
In terms of impact, the project had a significant impact on the targeted communities, engaging over 773 students in order to increase their awareness and ability to identify, report and oppose gender-based violence following the sessions they took part in. A number of NGOs increased their capacity to monitor public policies regarding violence/GBV in schools and to propose measures at the local and national level to improve these policies at the end of the project. Also, social media information and communication campaign reached a impact of 25,475.
Summary of bilateral results
The intervention of the Norwegian project partner, Sex og Politikk, was beneficial. The partnership with the Norwegian organization brought added value in terms of expertise, good practices and working atmosphere. Within the project, the Norwegian partner carried out the following activities: A1. Project management, the project partner monitored the implementation of activities in accordance with the funding request and ensured financial management for the assigned activities. Also, the partner ensured the audit of the project for the assigned component. Within the activity A2. Information and communication, he participated in the opening event of the project. Within the activity A4. Trainer training on GBV, the partner carried out a needs analysis and identified problems in order to develop the trainer training session and the GBG training/intervention tools. It developed two GBV awareness materials: a GBV TOT handbook and a teacher/facilitator''s handbook for GBV awareness. The partner delivered a training session for project staff and volunteers on tools to address GBV in the classroom. Regarding the participation in the two expertise visits/meetings in Romania according to the calendar and the Funding Application, they were carried out online.