Nearly 90 experts and professionals from 11 countries met today on a platform of exchange of best practices to discuss access to specialized services for victims of gender-based violence in Central Asia, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Mongolia.
At the end of last year, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) conducted a mapping study of services for survivors of gender-based violence in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The research was carried out within the framework of the WIN Project (WIN for Women and Men. Strengthening comprehensive security through innovating and networking for gender equality).
Specifically, the authors of the study identified direct assistance and protection services and mechanisms accessible for survivors of gender-based violence, assessing the main gaps, capacity building needs and promising approaches that could be successfully taken over by OSCE participating states.
Our colleague Liliana Istrate-Burciu was invited to speak at the panel dedicated to good practices about La Strada experience of managing the helpline for women and girls 0 8008 8008.
The findings and recommendations of the study will lay the basis for subsequent activities under the WIN Project and beyond, which could contribute to the full implementation of the 2004 Action Plan for the promotion of gender equality and other relevant gender equality commitments undertaken by OSCE participating states in the regions concerned.