2 December 2008

The Network Against Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking in Albania (hereinafter “The Network”) has published a newsletter detailing progress toward the implementation of the law against domestic violence in Albania.  The two year project, entitled “Making it Real:  Implementing the Law Against Domestic Violence in Albania,” was funded by the United Nations Trust Fund and is managed by UNIFEM.

The “Making it Real” project began in November 2007.  Since that time, The Network has accomplished the following:

• Supported the creation of Councils Against Domestic Violence (CADV) in five districts of Albania, which consist of government representatives, police, district attorneys, district court officials, health and education organizations, employment offices, and non-governmental organizations.  The CADVs discuss how to best coordinate support for domestic violence victims, among other important collaborative actions.
• Conducted 15 technical training sessions on the law against domestic violence in the five districts, which were attended by 312 participants including government representatives, police, district attorneys, district court officials, health and education organizations, employment offices, and non-governmental organizations. 
• Held 15 community workshops in the five districts describing the protection offered by the law, which were attended by 395 participants.
• Implemented a number of public awareness-raising materials and communication:
  • Published a poster entitled “Stop Violence in the Family” with contact information for domestic violence victims in each of the five districts.
  • Produced a radio piece, and brochures on family violence for victims and for men and boys.
  • Coordinated a number of events, discussions, and more.
• Worked with each of the CADVs in the five districts to develop budgets to combat domestic violence and presented the budgets to the municipal councils.

The Network continues to work toward the effective implementation of the law against domestic violence in Albania, including reaching out to districts beyond the five mentioned.