Project duration: 24 months (January 2017 – December 2018)
Project is funded by: Kvinna till Kvinna
Overall objective: Contribute to the establishment of comprehensive legal and policy solutions for the protection of women against violence, as conditions for the realisation of democracy, fundamental rights and women’s human rights, through the process of harmonisation with the EU values and acquis. Specific objective: Increased visibility of women’s human rights and participation of women’s organisations in the EU accession documents and process.
Project duration: 24 months (January 2017 – December 2018)
Project is funded by: Kvinna till Kvinna
Overall objective: Contribute to the establishment of comprehensive legal and policy solutions for the protection of women against violence, as conditions for the realisation of democracy, fundamental rights and women’s human rights, through the process of harmonisation with the EU values and acquis. Specific objective: Increased visibility of women’s human rights and participation of women’s organisations in the EU accession documents and process.
Basic information about the project: Activities include: 1) Monitoring reforms under Chapter 23 (fundamental rights: principle of non discrimination, gender equality, social position of vulnerable groups and procedural safeguards) by AWC in partnership with the prEUgovor coalition. 2) Regular policy proposals and law amendments based on monitoring the implementation of the CoE Convention and the UN Concluding Observations by AWC and women's CSO networks. 3) Decision-makers (at the national, local and EU level) are engaged in policy dialogue through advocacy activities by AWC and women's CSO networks, with active participation of citizens and the media.
During the reporting period the following results were achieved:
A large number of stakeholders (about 1,993) participated in at least 58 public events/meetings/work groups, and had the opportunity to hear AWC’s comments, suggestions, initiatives;
There were 43 policy proposals submitted, and 48.8% proposals were partially or completely adopted/accepted, which is an excellent result, given the current political situation in Serbia.
Reports were prepared:
- 4 semi-annual ALARM reports (with the PrEUgovor Coalition) on the progress of Serbia in Chapters 23 and 24;
- the shadow report “DARK CLOUDS OVER SERBIA” to the Fourth State CEDAW Report, and earlier “Critical Issues and Questions for the Republic of Serbia for the Pre-Session Working Group of the CEDAW Committee”
- the shadow report “IMPROVED LEGISLATION FAILED PROTECTION” to the First (basic) Report of Serbia submitted to the GREVIO Expert Group.
- 2 joint regional reports (protection orders and shelters) were submitted to the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences;
- the Report for the Third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, submitted to the UN Human Rights Council.
Policy studies were prepared:
- The Progress Made and the Shortcomings of the Criminal Justice System after Compliance with the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence
- Draft Law on Gender Equality: Will (Just Any) Amendment to the Law Lead to the Improvement of the Situation?
Organised expert meeting where 20 legal experts had the opportunity to learn about
the standards of the European Court of Human Rights on rape and sexual violence, through an excellent presentation of Judge Ms Ksenija Turković (supported by the Council of Europe Belgrade).
Organised training to strengthen capacities of women’s organisations (in 2017 at least 36 consultants from 19 women’s organisations and 2018 with 28 women from 16 organisations).
AWC representatives actively participated in the activities organised by Kvinna till Kvinna and the activities of the European Women’s Lobby.