Description
The residents of the Roma neighbourhoods are mostly women and children (0-18 y/o). The living conditions in these neighbourhoods, particularly in parts of them, are bad. A large proportion of the residents do not have regular income, and have difficulties in meeting the everyday needs of the households, which is a predisposition for domestic violence (DV) and gender-based violence (GBV), as shortage of money is pointed to by researchers as one of the main reasons for family dysfunctions in general. An additional predisposition for acts of DV and GBV in those communities is the traditional dominant role of the man in the family and the subordinated role of the woman. The general objective of the project is reducing domestic violence by raising awareness in the Roma communities in three large Roma neighbourhoods - Fakulteta and Filipovtsi in Sofia and Iztok in the town of Kyustendil, of domestic violence and promoting zero tolerance among residents for acts of domestic violence. This will be done through carrying out targeted campaigns among the most vulnerable groups. The project addresses impact over several groups of members of the Roma community. Young mothers and pregnant women from three large Roma neighbourhoods - Fakulteta and Filipovtsi in Sofia and Iztok in Kyustendil are among the groups most vulnerable to DV. The project promoter is committed to carrying out the activities planned without a partner.
Summary of project results
The main project objective was to reducing the domestic violence by raising awareness in the Roma communities in 3 large Roma neighbourhoods - Fakulteta and Filipovtsi in Sofia and Iztok in the town of Kyustendil, to domestic violence and promotion of zero tolerance of their residents for acts of domestic violence, through carrying out targeted campaigns among the most vulnerable groups. The information activities carried out in areas predominantly populated with Roma population contributed for informing the population with their rights also as encouraged to seek protection and to report incidents of violence.The activities resulted also in prevention of gender-based violence and promotion of zero tolerance for such violence.The project objective was achieved. The project’s activities contributed to the planned results. The folloing main activities under the project were implemented: an educational campaign among mothers; educational campaign among youths aged 14-17; a door-to-door informational campaign; an informational campaign among Roma leaders; a roundtable discussion with specialists working in the community; A methodology for conducting campaign towards mothers and youths was elaborated. Ten educational campaigns among youths aged 14-17 were held, where 60 Roma youths were trained in the field of prevention of DV. Furthermore an educational campaign among Roma mothers and pregnant woman was held in Roma communities as well meetings with Roma mothers covered the domestic violence theme within the campaigns. 30 Roma leaders were involved in the activity in order to raise awareness in the community about the acts of domestic violence and promotion of zero tolerance. Awareness raising activities supposed to contribute not only to reduction of already existing violence but also to have a preventive effect.
Summary of bilateral results