Donor: European Commission
Project duration: March 2023 – February 2025
Project objective: Advocating for international human rights standards in policies and practices in Serbia, on two related topics: 1) in cases of murder of women and protection of the rights of their underage children and 2) in the protection of the rights of women and children from the legalization of the concept of "parental alienation"; developing a more favorable social climate, as well as an institutional and non-institutional support system for women victims/survivors and their children.
Expected results:
1. Strengthened capacities of at least 15 WCSOs from Serbia for documenting, reporting and advocating on two topics - protection of underage children of mothers femicide victims and prevention of legalization of the concept of “parental alienation”.
2. At least two draft amendments to laws and/or public policies written and submitted; raised awareness of 100 decision-makers on the necessary legal changes and policymaking to protect the rights of women, GBV victims and their children in institutional procedures.
3. Raised awareness of 10,000 citizens about the problems and needs of women victims/survivors and their children through increasing media visibility of the two topics and establishing a femicide memorial.
4. Two alternative reports (shadow reports) for the CEDAW Committee and the GREVIO expert group written.
Donor: Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
Project duration: October 2022–December 2024
Project goal: General support to the Autonomous Women's Center in implementing activities from the Strategic Plan.
Key activities / results:
1. Maintaining the continuity and quality of a wide range of support activities for women who have experienced gender-based violence, especially in the area of economic empowerment. Support will be provided to at least 900 women per year.
2. Better information for women and greater visibility of AWC services. The link with information for women's self-education will be improved, as well as the link with content related to financial, social assistance, and economic empowerment of women.
3. Strengthening the capacity of AWC members (knowledge, skills, connections and finances) for direct support to women.
Donor: The Sigrid Rausing Trust
Project duration: June 2022 – May 2024
Project goal: General support to the Autonomous Women's Center in implementing activities from the Strategic Plan.
Key activities/outputs:
1. Women survivors of violence empowered to live free of violence - Providing psychosocial support and legal aid to women who survived violence; Strengthening knowledge, cooperation and wellbeing of AWC’s service providers; Promoting AWC’s support services.
2. Capacities of women’s movement built and awareness of media and youth regarding violence against women raised - joint advocacy activities, project partnerships, training program with WCSOs at local, regional or international level; Cooperation with media; Raising awareness on different forms of on gender-based violence (GBV) among young people.
3. Institutional framework for the protection of women from violence improved in line with international high standards and obligations - reporting regarding monitoring of reforms and implementation of international standards in relation to prevention, protection and suppression of violence against women; submitting policy proposal and proposals for the amendments of the law; Developing new training programs for professionals in institutions and conducting at least trainings, meetings, consultations and support for professionals in institutions, CSO’s and students from relevant professions.
4. AWC’s programme, financial and political autonomy and sustainability strengthened.
Donor: Kvinna till Kvinna
Project duration: January 2021 – December 2023
Project objective: Increased prioritisation of women’s human rights by governments in the EU accession process through participation of women’s organisations.
Key activities/outputs
- Monitoring the implementation of international standards by AWC, and a promotional campaign (internet and social media): Regional (WB) campaign dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence; Preparation of comments/reports on the implementation of international obligations; Policy analysis of sexual and reproductive rights and women’s health (education sector);
- Regular policy proposals and law amendments, through policy dialogue between decision-makers, with active participation of media and citizens - areas: Discrimination and gender equality; Suppression and prevention of GBV; Social protection and support for women; Sexual and reproductive rights and education;
- Monitoring reforms under Chapter 23 and Ch.19 by AWC in partnership with the prEUgovor coalition and other relevant CSOs: Monitoring the implementation of the AP for Chapters 23 and 24 (2 semi-annual reports; 2 press conferences and 2 meetings with the EU Delegation in Serbia and with representatives of embassies of EU member states); Monitoring the implementation of the AP for Chapter 19 (reports and announcements);
- Strengthening the internal capacities of AWC members (especially the consulting team): Supervisory support to the AWC consulting team; at least 4 lectures whit external experts; at least 3 lectures whit internal expert.
Donor: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Project duration: November 2020 – January 2024
Partner organizations: medica mondiale (Germany), medica Zenica, Vive Žene (Bosnia and Hercegovina), medica Gjakova, Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (Kosovo), Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Women in Black (Serbia)
Project goal: Creating a culture of recognition and reconciliation in the Western Balkans for women survivors of war related SGBV to live in dignity and free from violence
Outcomes of the project:
- The topic of war related SGBV is reflected in political debates and curricula
- Improved laws and procedures for compensation mechanisms
- Improved court procedures
- Likeminded feminist women's organisations are recognised as experts in political national and regional reconciliation processes