The Albanian Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the support of the Italian Government through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), have launched a new project titled “Reducing Gender-Based Violence and Harmful Practices through Gender-Sensitive Governance.”
With a €1 million budget and a three-year duration, the project will be implemented in nine Albanian municipalities (Dibër, Klos, Pogradec, Kolonjë, Korça, Konispol, Vlorë, Selenicë, and Tirana). It aims to combat gender-based violence in Albania by strengthening institutions, civil society, and law enforcement.
Key Objectives of the Initiative:
- Enhancing local support services: Ensuring the effective operation of referral mechanisms and improving health and psychosocial support services for victims of violence.
- Empowering survivors: Helping women and girls regain independence through education, skills development, and reintegration programs.
- Training law enforcement: Providing specialized training for the State Police and Police Academy to align with Standard Operating Procedures that are currently underutilized.
- Strengthening oversight and accountability: Empowering civil society organizations and national human rights institutions to monitor and enforce international and national standards on violence against women and girls.
The launch event was attended by Albanian Minister of Health and Social Protection, Albana Koçiu; Italian Ambassador to Albania, Marco Alberti; AICS Tirana Representative, Stefania Vizzaccaro; UN Resident Coordinator, Fiona McCluney; and UNFPA Representative in Albania, Justine Coulson.
