Focus on the project of the Algerian association Djazaïrouna aimed at strengthening the intervention capacities of institutional and civil society actors for better assistance of women victims of violence.

In the framework of the Programme "Regional Support for the Consolidation of Human Rights, Rule of Law and Democracy in the Southern Mediterranean" (South IV Programme), eight civil society organisations are currently supported by the project Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation for the Protection of Women and Girls against Violence, coordinated by the North South Centre of the Council of Europe.

This project relied in particular on the active participation of the Djazairouna association in Algeria. For more than 25 years, the association has been raising awareness of non-violence at the national level, notably by defending the material and moral interests of victims of terrorism, promoting human rights, citizenship and equality between women and men. 

In view of the alarming increase in violence in the context of a health crisis, Djazairouna wanted to act at the local level in order to contribute to the prevention and reduction of violence against women by improving the support of victims.

"Currently, when women victims of gender-based violence seek help, they often face considerable obstacles instead of receiving the assistance they need."

For seven months, from April to November 2021, the project contributed to strengthening the knowledge and skills of professionals on national, regional and Council of Europe standards in the field of combating violence against women and girls.

"During the implementation of the project, we used the expertise and tools of the Council of Europe for the protection and support of victims/survivors of violence against women, through the organisation of the training on the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) adapted to the needs of civil society organisations in Algeria".

The project has also enabled the implementation of a series of activities aimed at institutional and civil society actors in favour of comprehensive support (at the psycho-social, medical, legal and judicial levels) through effective tools adapted to local needs, namely : 

 A training cycle on the care of women victims of violence in emergency situations by improving techniques for listening to and guiding women victims of violence and for caring for women victims of violence, including in emergency situations;

 A training workshop on the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence;

 Four workshops to present the Istanbul Convention;

 Two workshops to develop an emergency alert and reporting plan between June and October 2021.

Who participated?

Representatives of civil society organisations, the Directorate of Social Action and Solidarity, the Social Development Agency, international non-governmental organisations, women's rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, students, and elected representatives from different regions.

At the same time, support, and care for more than 70 women victims was provided through two activities:

 Four discussion groups provided psychological support for twenty women victims of violence;

Ten sessions were organised to provide information on the legal aspect of the procedures for protecting women victims at national level.

The victim-centred and human rights based approach were applied in all dimensions of the Djazairouna project.

The project's sustainability is based on a network that has now been extended to the associative and state levels, thus enabling the association to continue its annual activities by relying on a qualified and more experienced team.

"The victim-centered approach has been used in the care of women victims/survivors of gender-based violence; because this approach aims to empower the victims/survivors, putting them at the center of our actions that encompasses all the physical, psychological, emotional, social, spiritual components of the victims/survivors, as well as their cultural and social backgrounds and experiences that can help us and facilitate their care."

Djarzairouna also intends to develop intervention programmes with a particular focus on victim protection, in particular through the maintenance of a mobile application for reporting victims, systematic data collection and, finally, ongoing advocacy work for the protection of women's rights.

 To learn more about the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation for the Protection of Women and Girls against Violence Project, visit our webpage.

 The South IV Programme is a joint programme of the Council of Europe and the European Union, funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.