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 Violence
prevention initiative on Western Balkan
With funding from the Norwegian government, CARE
is implementing an innovative youth project that reaches out to
young men in the Balkan region. The goal is to build more equitable
attitudes and behaviours, and decrease a growing trend of gendered
and peer violence.
The Gender-based Violence Prevention Initiative
engages young men in the age of 13-19. The aim is to identify and
understand how social norms and attitudes related to gender,
masculinity and male socialisation are connected to inequitable
behaviour towards women and girls. By understanding the specific
gender norms and expectations that contribute to violent behaviour
among young Balkan men, more effective and preventive interventions
will be possible.
In collaboration with six youth organizations
from Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro,
behaviour and attitudes have been surveyed and documented. The
project is now entering its second year, where the documented
results will be implemented through campaigns, workshops and forums
in schools throughout the region. A total number of 3000 young men
have been involved in the project, and many of them are now
committed in the work to include more of their peers.
The Norwegian Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
has donated approximately NOK 5 million for the current phase that
has one year time span, from June 2008 to June 2009. The project is
of high relevance in a region where a prevalent culture of violence,
often gender-based, has emerged from the aftermath of war.
Seeing as gender equality issues predominantly
have had a female focus, the project is also innovative in nature,
and links to a new global insight that advocates a greater
involvement of men in the work towards gender equality.
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