The webinar “State Funding for SOS Helplines in the Western Balkans and Republic of Moldova” that took place online on 12th of December (Tuesday) from 3pm CET, presented the findings from the GBWN policy brief related to funding of SOS helplines, one of specialized services for combating gender-based violence in the Western Balkans and Republic of Moldova.
All Western Balkan governments have ratified and/or adopted into their legal frameworks the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (known as the “Istanbul Convention”). As per the Istanbul Convention, governments should fund non-governmental women’s rights civil society organizations (WCSOs) and recognizing they are key actors and partners in advancing women’s human rights and gender equality. Moreover, ensuring funding for commitments under the Istanbul Convention should be an objective and result of gender responsive budgeting.
Visnja Bacanovic from Gender Knowledge Hub was the moderator of the webinar. The representatives of WCSOs from the region talked about their everyday challenges and how they deal with the lack of funding as key agents and partners in addressing gender-based violence and furthering gender equality.
Thanks to all our speakers:
- Daniela Dabija, manager of the Trust Phone for Women and Girls, La Strada Moldova
- Nataša Mujkanović, Safe House Coordinator, Fondacija lokalne demokratije, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Jovana Spremo, Safe House Coordinator and Mirzeta Tomljanović, Safe House Technical Coordinator, Fondacija Lara, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Savka Todorovska and Ruzica Pinzovska, NSRR – National Council for Gender Equality, North Macedonia
- Biljana Stepanov – Director of Women’s Support Center and Board President of SOS Vojvodina Network, Serbia
- Ejnxh Pepa – Programme Coordinator, Counselling Line for Women and Girls (CLWG)
Webinar on SOS helplines REPORT
Watch the recording:
