Proposals wanted to help reduce family, gender based violence in Estonia
A call for proposals in a project financed by the European Economic Area (EEA) and the state of Norway opened on Friday that is aimed at reducing family violence and gender based violence in Estonian society.
Spokespeople for the project said that people's attitudes towards family violence have undergone big change in Estonia, with 95 percent of residents now considering family violence a crime and 78 percent being of the opinion that family violence is not an internal matter of the family.
Minister of Social Affairs Tanel Kiik (Center) said: "Unfortunately, accusing the victim continues to be widespread, which is in no way helpful to escaping the circle of violence and recovery. Since most of family violence in Estonia is close relationship violence where the victims are women and the perpetrators men, we wish to change attitudes towards family violence with informing activities, through highlighting the important role of men in preventing violence."
In addition, activities will be financed that raise awareness with a view to reducing demand for paid sex. According to a survey conducted among the population, 58 percent of residents see prostitution as violence against women and 53 percent are in favor of banning the purchase of sex. At the same time, one in four people still believes that it is something that is necessary for men.
"Since demand for prostitution is a driving force behind human trafficking, we wish to change attitudes towards prostitution with informing activities, emphasizing foremost the crime and abuse that go with it," Kiik said.
The size of the call for proposals is €200,000, which will be allocated to a single project. The recipient of the grant must stage a campaign to raise awareness about family violence and gender based violence, create short films about family violence for young people and conduct awareness raising activities to reduce demand for paid sex.
Director of the State Shared Service Center, Marek Atonen said: "We are awaiting projects which promote understanding towards victims of violence. Definitely experts of the respective field should be involved."
He added that the message must reach both the Estonian- and Russian speaking community of Estonia.
The call for proposals under the EEA and Norway Grants program "Local Development and Poverty Reduction" is open until September 30, 2020. An information event for potential applicants will take place in the Zoom environment on August 12.
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Editor: Helen Wright