Completed project
Prevention of violence against women and girls
May 2012 to March 2013
CAD$ 1,2 millions
funded by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT), The Global Peace and Security Funds
3,000 direct beneficiaries
at least 60% of whom are women. 50 institutions and/or organizations in the targeted municipalities. 15,000 beneficiaries throughout the five municipalities, 60% of whom are women.
El Salvador: Secretaría de Inclusión Social del Gobierno de El Salvador
Ciudad Mujer, Instituto Salvadoreño para el Desarrollo de la Mujer (ISDEMU), Comité Municipal de Prevención Social de San Juan Opico (Department of La Libertad), Consejo de Prevención Social y Seguridad Ciudadana de Nahuizalco (Department of Sonsonate). Guatemala : SEPREM, USAID Violence Prevention Project carried out by RTI - CECI, (VPP) three municipalities in the Departement of Chiquimula: San Juan Ermita, San Jacinto et Esquipulas
Violence is wide-spread in Guatemala and El Salvador and affects a great number of women and girls in both countries. Indicators show that violence has tripled over the last decade, disporportionately affecting people depending on their ethic affiliation, poverty level and access to education. Some of the worst forms of violence inflicted upon women include domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking.
The goal of the PREVIMU project was to increase the efficiency and accessibility of security and justice systems for violence committed against women and girls in the targeted municipalities in Guatemala and Salvador.
Activities / Results
Outreach
- 12 spaces were created to welcome women and girls who are victims of violence. These include municipal women’s support offices and other welcome centres;
- 50 decision-making bodies/organizations (ten per municipality) offering victim services improved coordination with the implementation of strategies and plans to combat violence against women and girls;
- 5 violence prevention commissions, comprising 50 representatives from target institutions, were sensitized to the issues.
Training and support
39 training workshops were organized for employees of justices of the peace, the National Civil Police (PNC), municipal women’s support offices and municipal commissions. The workshops specifically addressed women’s rights and gender-based violence, its causes and consequences.
Supporting prevention and intervention initiatives
Seven concrete prevention initiatives received funding, including:
- Infrastructures and adapted equipment;
- Initiatives for the economic empowerment of women;
- Campaigns to spread awareness about laws and legal instruments regarding violence against women and girls (one campaign per municipality and one national campaign).