Violence against women is a pressing global issue. The rights of all women to be free from violence transcends geographical, cultural, and social boundaries. Women in all their diversity are entitled to the full enjoyment of their human rights. The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) stresses the importance of adopting an intersectional approach, recognising the diverse rights and needs of women, a critical component in ending violence against women and domestic violence.
With this in mind, the SYNERGY Network against gender based and domestic violence and the European Institute Foundation of Bulgaria, working closely with the Council of Europe, has tackled the question of access to justice for Roma women to assert their right to be free from violence. In response to critical challenges, a SYNERGY Handbook has been developed, “How to take into account the rights and needs of Roma women when working to prevent and combat gender-based violence” aimed at practitioners working on domestic and gender-based violence under the EEA and Norway Grants.
In the development of this handbook, authors Rachel Eapen Paul and Zora Popova actively engaged Roma women and Roma rights NGOs to provide insights into Roma women's perspectives on preventing and combating gender-based violence. Published in December 2023, the Handbook also incorporates Council of Europe standards and best practices, and the projects of several countries in the SYNERGY Network. This handbook, funded by the Bulgarian Home Affairs Programme under EEA and Norway Grants, is guided by the principle 'nothing about us, without us,' and aims to actively involve Roma women in all stages of programmes and projects.
The Council of Europe’s continued commitment to supporting SYNERGY Network initiatives reinforces its role as a key player in advancing the rights and protection of women and girls under the EEA and Norway Grants.
The Council of Europe is the main international partner of the SYNERGY Network against gender-based and domestic violence and functions as International Partner Organisation on gender-based violence in the Bulgarian Home Affairs Programme under EEA and Norway Grants.
See more:
Article: A new handbook to include Roma women: “Nothing about us, without us”
Website: SYNERGY Network against gender based and domestic violence
Website: Council of Europe Roma and Travellers Team
Website: Council of Europe Gender Equality Division’s co-operation with the EEA and Norway Grants
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