OSCE concludes project on strengthening the capacities of criminal justice practitioners to combat gender-based violence in Eastern Europe

The closing conference of the OSCE project “Effective Criminal Justice Strategies and Practices to Combat Gender-based Violence in Eastern Europe” was held in Vienna on 5 and 6 March 2020. The project was implemented over the past two years in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania. 

The one-and-a-half day event brought together key stakeholders from the three beneficiary countries such as representatives from law enforcement and judicial agencies, victim support services, civil society and academia, who were actively involved in implementing the project.

During the three thematic sessions led by high-level representatives of the three beneficiary countries, participants took stock of the progress made and the achievements and exchanged good practices and lessons learned. They also highlighted remaining gaps where further efforts are required. 

The project contributed to improving the multi-sectoral co-ordination between key actors involved in the prevention and combating of gender-based violence. 

More than 120 police officers, prosecutors, judges and social workers were involved in training activities, which enhanced their investigation and soft skills. More than five million people from Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania were informed about the forms, causes and consequences of gender-based violence through an awareness campaign conducted during the 16 Days of Global Activism against Gender-based Violence. 

The main findings and outcomes of the conference will be compiled into a report that will consist of all the project materials and a set of recommendations. 

The project addressed all criminal justice system actors - police, prosecutors and judges - who are mandated to prevent and combat gender-based violence. It also addresses civil society organizations, social workers and academia, which ensured a comprehensive approach to the matter. 

The project was funded by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (2014-2020) and the governments of Germany and Austria.