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Description
The project area lags behind the national average both in economic terms and in the field of gender equality. This project improves the quality of rehabilitation of victims of gender-based violence, accelerates the raising of awareness in the field of gender equality and ensures the cooperation of various stakeholders.
The project will achieve results:
1. Supported victims of human rights violations in Lika-Senj County
2. Supported cross-sectoral and intra-sectoral cooperation and synergies in Lika-Senj County
3. Promotion of international human rights standards in Lika-Senj County and
4. Supported the work and expansion of the work of CSOs with citizens and local communities
All mentioned leads to an increase in awareness of the topic of gender equality, women''s rights, greater community engagement and finally a reduction in victims of psychophysical violence in the field of gender equality. The added value of the project for the community in which it is implemented is generally strong traditionally patriarchal patterns of behavior given the underdevelopment of the area.
Summary of project results
The project "Between Gender and Homeland" addressed several key challenges in a region that lags behind national standards, both economically and in terms of gender equality. One major issue was the low awareness among the community, institutions, and even women themselves regarding gender-based violence and the broader issue of gender equality. This lack of understanding made it difficult to promote change. To tackle these problems, the project aimed to improve the quality of support for victims of gender-based violence and to raise awareness about gender equality issues. Through various activities and collaboration with different stakeholders, the project fostered cross-sector and internal cooperation in the Lika-Senj County. It also promoted international human rights standards in the region and strengthened civil society organizations'' work with local communities. By enhancing institutional support and operational teams for organizations that help victims, the project contributed to reducing gender-based violence, motivating the community to engage in prevention and protection efforts, and influencing younger generations by challenging traditional behaviors and stereotypes.
The project provided direct support to women victims of violence while also creating a solid foundation for ongoing collaboration between public organizations and civil society in Lika-Senj County. Through this approach, the project advanced the cause of gender equality and laid the groundwork for long-term efforts to prevent gender-based violence.
One of the key focuses of the project was providing comprehensive support to women who had experienced domestic and gender-based violence. Over the course of 18 months, 29 women received psychological, emotional, legal, and material assistance. This support was provided by a dedicated team that included a psychologist and a legal expert. Additionally, a Safe House was made available to the women, where they could also participate in creative workshops aimed at helping them rebuild their self-confidence and regain control over their lives.
The project also played an essential role in strengthening cooperation with public organizations. Two major initiatives were launched, focusing on developing a strategic document on gender equality. This was done in close collaboration with the County Team for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and the Gender Equality Commission of Lika-Senj County. The outcome of these efforts was the creation of an Action Plan aimed at preventing violence against women in the county. Although there were some delays in involving public bodies, the project successfully raised awareness among key stakeholders, including local officials, encouraging them to participate in shaping the final version of the Action Plan.
In addition to building connections with public organizations, the project fostered collaboration among civil society organizations. A coalition of local NGOs was established in September 2022, including Nit Korenica, HOMO Pula, Pokretač Korenica, and Tara Ličko Petrovo Selo. This coalition focused on advocating for women''s rights and preventing gender-based violence. The organizations worked closely together, ensuring that their collaboration would extend beyond the project’s official end, thus creating a sustainable network for continued advocacy.
Several public events were organized throughout the project to raise awareness about gender equality and violence prevention. Two roundtables were held, one in Korenica, which explored the public perception of gender-based violence in the region, and another in Gospić, which concentrated on legal protections and strategies for prevention. These discussions, attended by local officials, representatives from the Gender Equality Commission, and other key stakeholders, generated valuable insights and fostered a meaningful dialogue on improving victim support and combating gender-based violence.
Education was another crucial component of the project. Nine creative and educational workshops were organized for women in Lika-Senj County, where they learned about their rights and how to advocate for gender equality. Workshops on human rights and gender equality were also held for high school students in Korenica, with 34 students participating. These workshops represented a major success, as gaining access to schools for such initiatives had initially been a challenge. Nonetheless, the project team managed to engage both students and staff, helping to raise awareness of gender-based violence and encouraging open dialogue on these issues.
To further deepen the understanding of women’s rights and gender equality, the project organized a public lecture led by a representative from the Office of the Ombudsperson for Gender Equality. Local government officials, CSO representatives, and other participants attended the event, which contributed to strengthening support for women in rural areas and enhancing the protection of victims of gender-based violence.
Promotional activities were carried out to ensure widespread awareness of the project and its objectives. These efforts included a press conference at the project’s start, the production of 1,000 leaflets and 100 brochures, radio advertisements, and outreach via social media. Although not all planned media engagements were realized, the project significantly raised public awareness around gender equality and violence prevention in the region.
Organizational development was another focus of the project, with training provided on social entrepreneurship, fundraising, and public speaking for partner organizations. These initiatives played a key role in strengthening the capacities of local NGOs, ensuring they would be well-equipped to continue their work beyond the project’s conclusion.
The project achieved significant outcomes that directly supported victims of gender-based violence while also enhancing community awareness and cooperation among institutions and civil society organizations. It provided comprehensive assistance to women who had experienced domestic violence, strengthened the capacities of organizations working with victims, and fostered collaboration between NGOs and local institutions.
One of the main achievements was the provision of comprehensive support to 29 women who were victims of domestic and gender-based violence. They received psychological and legal aid, material assistance, and housing in a Safe House. Through creative workshops, these women were also given the opportunity to rebuild their confidence and work through the trauma of violence in a supportive environment.
The project strengthened local organizations that support women victims of violence by providing training to enhance their knowledge and skills. Activists and NGO members participated in educational workshops designed to prepare them for working with victims of gender-based violence. This increased their ability to respond effectively to the needs of victims and to advocate for gender equality in their communities.
A concrete collaboration was established between NGOs working on human rights and violence prevention, which continued after the project ended. This network enabled local organizations to pool their resources and share best practices for helping victims and advocating for policy changes. The project also built strong partnerships with local institutions, which improved their awareness of gender-based violence and their ability to provide effective protection for women. Public bodies like the Gender Equality Commission and the County Team for Domestic Violence Prevention played a key role in this effort. The project also supported the creation of an Action Plan for the prevention of violence against women in the region, which will guide future efforts to protect victims.
Local media, particularly Radio Gospić, were sensitized to the issue of gender-based violence, helping to raise public awareness through their platforms. The project also reached a broad audience of citizens through media campaigns, social media, and educational events. This outreach was essential in informing the public about the realities of gender-based violence and encouraging community engagement in prevention efforts.
In addition to this broad public outreach, the project directly raised awareness among its target groups about the available support services for victims of domestic and gender-based violence. Women were informed about the psychological, legal, and material assistance they could access, as well as how to receive institutional help. The project made sure that victims were aware of all available options for obtaining the support they needed.
An important institutional outcome was the establishment of a formal record-keeping system for the Safe House and Counseling Center, which documented the victims of gender-based violence who received assistance. This system followed legal and ethical guidelines, ensuring privacy while providing a clear overview of the support provided to victims.
The operational capacities of the project team were strengthened, particularly in terms of legal support and psychological aid. The work carried out with victims contributed to the development of the Action Plan for the prevention of violence in the region. The project also supported collaboration among local institutions, including formal partnerships with the Gender Equality Commission and the County Domestic Violence Prevention Team. These efforts were key to improving human rights protections, governance, and the rule of law in the region.