Locations
UN Joint Programme Ending Violence Against Women in Albania Phase II
UNDP Albania
Summary
The United Nations Joint Programme, "Ending Violence Against Women in Albania Phase II," is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and will run from January 2023 to October 2025. The programme, implemented by UN Women, UNDP, and UNFPA, contributes to the achievement of SDG target 5.2 and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Outcome 4 on Gender Responsive Governance.
The programme targets all women and girls who have experienced violence in Albania. It places a particular focus on women and girls who are subjected to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, including LGBTI women, women with disabilities and Roma and Egyptian women. Furthermore, the project engages men and boys as pivotal agents of change in the advancement of gender equality, collaborating with civil society organisations and national institutions.
The UN Agencies collaborate closely with national partners, including the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Youth, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Interior, the State Police, Local Government Units, National Human Rights Institutions, the media, civil society and grassroots organisations, amongst others. This programme builds on the findings and recommendations outlined in the evaluation report of the JP EVAWIA Phase I, leveraging lessons learned to replicate best practices.
Through the boot camp “Change Begins with You,” the Programme engaged 21 young people (14 girls and 7 boys) from fields such as journalism, IT, law, social sciences, art, and finance. Over three days, participants received training and mentorship and developed ideas to address gender-based violence.
Background
In recent years, Albania has made notable progress in developing its legal, policy, and institutional framework with the objective of ending domestic violence and violence against women (VAW). A comprehensive legislative framework has been established to ensure a coordinated response from all relevant government agencies to domestic violence. Notable advancements at the institutional level include the expansion of the Coordinated Referral Mechanisms (CRMs) to all 61 municipalities in Albania, enhancements to the local information system for registering cases of domestic violence (REVALB), and a threefold increase in the monthly cash payments for survivors of domestic violence under protection orders. Notwithstanding these developments, violence against women continues to be a significant challenge in Albania.
The 2018 National Survey on Violence against Women and Girls in Albania indicates that the prevalence of violence against women remains high, with one in three women having experienced violence over the 12 months prior to the survey. The number of cases reported to the relevant authorities remains low in comparison to the actual number of women who experience violence (4,591 in 2018, 4,629 in 2019, 4,701 in 2020, and 5,312 in 2021). During the period of national lockdown in 2020, the number of calls made to the national counselling hotline increased by a factor of three in comparison to the same period in the previous year. However, the number of reports of domestic violence made to the police was lower than in previous years for the same period.
The main gaps and the relevant causes of the persistency of violence against women include challenges in preventing such violence, ensuring effective protection of victims and the availability of services, prosecuting cases of violence and adopting policies and laws aligned with international standards and best practices on VAW. To address these challenges, UN Women, UNDP and UNFPA have built on the successful collaboration on addressing violence against women in the context of the Joint Programme “Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Albania” (JP EVAWIA) (2019-2022), supported by Sida, with the objective of ensuring that all women and girls in Albania live a life free of violence.
A total of 170 men and boys in the municipalities of Berat, Kuçovë, Dimal, Pukë, Has, and Fushë Arrëz have participated in awareness-raising initiatives on violence against women.
Major Achievements
- Three workplace sexual harassment guidelines were developed in the municipalities of Skrapar, Berat, and Malësi e Madhe. The guidelines set standards of conduct, complaint procedures, and accountability measures. They were introduced through workshops with municipal staff to ensure that employees and leaders understand their rights and responsibilities in preventing and addressing violence, harassment and sexual harassment.
- The Programme is providing technical support to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in revising the Law on Measures Against Violence in Family Relations. The revision aims to align the law with international standards, including the Istanbul Convention, and expand its scope to cover all forms of violence against women. The changes will strengthen the legal framework and improve protection and access to justice for women and girls in Albania.3. Strengthening Coordinated Referral Mechanisms (CRMs)
- Over 200 members of Coordinated Referral Mechanisms — including local coordinators, psychologists, teachers, NGOs, health professionals, economic aid specialists, lawyers, and community centre representatives — received targeted support. Through training, regional workshops in the north and south Albania, CRM members improved their understanding of legal obligations, coordination practices, and case management. These efforts are improving local responses to cases of violence against women.
- The Programme has strengthened the Network of Local Coordinators. Two national meetings per year bring together coordinators from all 61 municipalities and provide a platform to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, and strengthen cooperation. These meetings improve peer learning, highlight effective practices, and support coordinators in managing cases, assisting survivors, and leading coordinated institutional responses.
- The Programme is assisting the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in replicating the LILIUM Crisis Centre model in Vlora. The new centre will provide integrated medical, psychological, legal, and referral services in one location, reducing travel distances, improving accessibility, and ensuring timely support for survivors of sexual violence.
- A total of 170 men and boys in the municipalities of Berat, Kuçovë, Dimal, Pukë, Has, and Fushë Arrëz have participated in awareness-raising initiatives on violence against women. The activities addressed gender stereotypes, promoted positive roles for men and boys, and encouraged their involvement in prevention efforts.
- Through the boot camp “Change Begins with You,” the Programme engaged 21 young people (14 girls and 7 boys) from fields such as journalism, IT, law, social sciences, art, and finance. Over three days, participants received training and mentorship and developed ideas to address gender-based violence. Two teams were selected as winners and received financial support to implement their solutions.
- In partnership with the Sector for Domestic Violence and Child Protection at the General Directorate of State Police, the Programme trained 256 police officers from 27 police stations across Albania. The training focused on implementing the domestic violence law, managing cases, and addressing different forms of gender-based violence.
Project Outcomes
- Women and girls enjoy more effective preventive measures against violence in Albania
- All women survivors and those at risk are better protected from all forms of violence and have equitable access to services in Albania
- Responsible institutions and actors implement national policies and legislation on VAW in a more comprehensive, inclusive and coordinated way in Albania
