Description
The project aims at counteracting discrimination of women in the form of violence through: BUILDING nationwide women's anti-violence expert network that can counteract violence on the local level; ANALYSING gender anti-violence programmes in 16 voivodeships, 44 counties, 100 municipalities, developing model anti-violence programme; LOBBYING for change in local government institutions responsible for implementation of anti-violence programmes; EDUCATING local communities on violence against women by organising initiatives, meetings, workshops and debates. The project will be implemented in partnership with 11 NGO’s engaged in anti-violence action One Billion Rising (OBR), and with Icelandic Women's Rights Association. The project will be implemented throughout Poland. 11 partner organisations would participate in the projects team meetings and trainings, research activities, organising an antiviolence event in the region of activity. Partner organisation from Iceland would consult ways of working with local authorities and sharing good practicies, organise study visit in Iceland, participate in the debate in Warsaw.
Summary of project results
"Documents signed and/or ratified by Poland emphasise that the prevention of gender-based violence should become a priority task at the national and local levels alike. Polish documents - such as the National Programme of Preventing Household Violence for the years 2014-2020 and the Household Violence Prevention Act itself - have not recognised that perspective. The project purpose was to increase the local communities' social awareness of violence against women, and to expand the knowledge and competencies of persons active in preventing said violence. The networking of anti-violence organisations was planned as well. The project allowed the monitoring of local government violence preventing programmes, and the delivery of local awareness campaigns. The knowledge and competencies of approximately 220 women were improved. The Anti-Violence Women's Network was joined by 30 groups and organisations. Three hundred and eighteen local violence prevention programmes were analysed, analysis results published in a report printed in 500 copies. Three campaigns preventing violence against women were organised, including the “One Billion Rising"" venture attended by 60 towns and cities. Fifteen local debates were organised to present monitoring results and recommendations; an international conference was held in Warsaw. Fifteen WenDo workshops were held alongside psychological, legal, and stereotype-oriented training sessions for women. A model anti-violence programme recognising the gender perspective was drafted. Two hundred and twenty women attended WenDo workshops; 10,000 persons participated in urban campaigns; around 400 and 50 persons attended the debates and conference, respectively. The project was co-organised with Kvenréttindafélag Íslands, whose members presented good violence prevention practices during the conference. 11 Polish organisations were responsible for local activities."
Summary of bilateral results
"Study visit on Iceland at Icelandic Women’s Rights Association, our partner during the Women’s Anti-violence Network project, was held on 16 – 19th June 2015. The Feminoteka participants were: Joanna Piotrowska, project coordinator, Aleksandra Magryta and Julia Maciocha who are responsible for implementation of respective tasks in the project. • The visit consisted of meetings with the following organisations and institutions: • Men Take Responsibility which focus on therapy of men inflicting violence but also gives support to the victims; • Sigríður Björk Guðjónsdóttir, Reykjavik Police Chief; • The Centre for Gender Equality which advises and provides training on gender equality for government and municipal institutions, organisations, companies, private individuals and NGOs; • Women’s Counselling where consultants (female students or social workers) provide help for women; • The Root – Association on Women’s Issues Relating to Alcohol and Addiction. The organisation was founded by women who were addicted to alcohol and who noticed during their therapy an important fact – no treatment directed and adapted to women; • The Women’s Shelter Movement – a shelter for women; • Stígamót (Education and Counselling Centre for Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Violence) which offers free individual counselling for survivors of rape, incest, sexual harassment, pornographic exploitation and prostitution; • Icelandic Women’s Rights Association – our partner. Thanks to this visit we have noticed the problem of addiction treatment for women. We stay in touch with the organisation and plan to broaden our knowledge in this field. Meeting at Stígamót, which profile is the closest to our own, was a very important meeting for us. We got to know the rules for its functioning, offer and results. In future we would like to stay in touch with this organisation during implementation of projects on violence against women, learn from their good practices and solutions. In the shelter in Reykjavik we have learned that many women receiving their help are Polish. We have agreed on further cooperation – we have sent books and materials in Polish, for use by Polish women. "