Regional Programme in the Western Balkans and Turkey
The Issue | Our Solutions | Featured Stories | Digital Library | News | Events | About the EU
The Issue
Decades of advocacy efforts led by the women’s movement and grass-roots organizations across the Western Balkans and Turkey have led to a recognition that violence against women and girls is a manifestation of systematic gender discrimination and inequality, a violation of human rights, and a detriment to development. The adoption of the 2011 Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women (also known as the Istanbul Convention) and the agreed conclusions of the fifty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women in 2013, have increased attention given to violence against women in international and regional agendas, and built the momentum for investing in additional efforts to achieve gender equality.
The regional Beijing +20 review for Turkey and the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo[1], the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) highlighted areas that require concerted attention: the pervasiveness of multidimensional discrimination, the re-emergence of strong patriarchal structures and unequal power relations between women and men, and the rising prevalence of different forms of violence against women and girls.
UN Women’s preliminary assessment of gender equality and women's empowerment in Turkey and the Western Balkans, conducted at the end of 2014, revealed that – despite the adoption of legislation to advance gender equality in all these countries – strong patriarchal structures, unequal power relations between women and men, and the lack of political will of governments remain major obstacles to the full implementation of legislation. While Turkey and the Western Balkan countries are at different stages of accession into the European Union, there is an opportunity and a necessity to advance the implementation of norms and standards outlined in European Union laws and policies – also known as the ‘acquis communautaire’.
Our solutions
The three-year programme, ‘Implementing Norms, Changing Minds’, aims at ending gender-based discrimination and violence against women in the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) and Turkey, with a particular focus on the most disadvantaged groups of women.
The adoption and full implementation of frameworks aligned with international normative standards – including those standards outlined in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Istanbul Convention and the European Union acquis communautaire – are essential for addressing gender-based discrimination and violence against women. The programme will strengthen women’s organizations capacity to hold governments to account, advocate for effective implementation, and monitor prevention of and response to violence against women. Beyond the full implementation of legislative frameworks, the programme also addresses structural causes of gender inequality – and one of its most pervasive expressions, violence against women – through a transformation of gender discriminatory stereotypes, perceptions and beliefs. Lastly, protection, prevention and response to violence against women is closely interlinked with the availability of and access to comprehensive, multi-sectoral services for survivors of violence.
Acknowledging the structural inequalities that lie at the intersection of gender and factors such as age, disability, ethnicity and nationality, the programme will place a strong emphasis on tackling multiple discriminations where gender aspects are involved.
The primary method of implementation is through partnerships with women’s organizations. The programme will build on UN Women’s and the European Union’s links with civil society organizations in the region to assist women in their drive to ensure their rights as citizens.
|
Geographical Coverage |
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey |
|
Executing Agency |
UN Women (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey) in partnership with UNDP (Montenegro) |
|
Collaborating Agencies:
|
Women’s organizations Development partners: European Commission HQ and European Union delegations in implementing countries |
|
Total Programme Cost: |
€5,681,220.39 |
Featured stories
Twenty-five women representing different marginalized groups met in Istanbul to discuss how to better integrate an intersectional approach into their work on ending violence against women. Read more
40 pairs of red shoes were placed in front of the Serbian Government's building as a reminder that more than 40 women in the country are killed every year by their intimate partner. How is the country tackling the rising tide of gender-based violence? Read more
Marai Larasi, Executive Director of Imkaan, speaks about how marginalized women experience violence and discrimination and the change needed to achieve equality. Read more
Sema Kendirci Uğurman, Chair of the Turkish Women’s Union discusses the role of civil society in advocating for laws and policies to protect women from violence. Read more
Shpresa Agushi, leading activist for the rights of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian Women in Kosovo talks about the links between early marriage and violence against women in these communities. Read more
Digital library
This short brief aims to provide an overview about the programme by highlighting its main objectives and roadmap for making a difference in the Western Balkans and Turkey.
The infographics included in this package aim to present information drawn from a UN Women – Council of Europe conducted study about the gaps in support services for survivors of violence in the Western Balkans and Turkey.
Ending violence against women in the Western Balkans and Turkey
This video explains the new regional initiative in the Western Balkans and Turkey developed with innovative approaches to address harmful gender stereotypes and combat violence against women and girls.
News
- New regional initiative to end discrimination and violence against women kicks off in Montenegro
- Call for Proposals
- News Brief Issue 1
- News Brief Issue 2
- News Brief Issue 3
Events
About the EU
The European Union is made up of 28 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms.
The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders.
[1] All references to Kosovo on this website shall be understood to be in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999).
Implementing Norms, Changing Minds Newsletter
