EmPreV Final Events

This fall, two final events were organized in the context of the EmPreV project on “Empowerment of Older Women: Preventing Violence by Challenging Social Norms in Serbia and Austria” that the Austrian Red Cross implemented in partnership with the Red Cross of Serbia and the Austrian Institute for Conflict Research and with the support of the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency from 2019-2021. The final conference in Belgrade and the final dissemination event in Austria served to showcase the achievements of this project and to strengthen the cooperation with the public sector and civil society organizations to end violence against older women. While the former was held as a high-level event with representatives of the UN, EU, the ministerial level and civil society to identify remaining gaps and reaffirm each other’s commitment in the fight against violence, the latter was held as an online event with various stakeholders in Austria to present the products and findings in Austria.

Project Results

The EmPreV project has been one of the most successful projects for RC Serbia considering its wide-ranging impact including forged and strengthened global and national partnerships due to this project. In Austria, the EmPreV project was similarly successful having produced training and information materials that are in high demand. The following achievements can be highlighted:

• Research: A research report incl. recommendations on violence against older women was created and presented at a press conference in Austria and Serbia drawing from the findings of the desk review and the qualitative research. A summary report can be found via the link.

• Trainings on violence prevention: In both countries, a training of the trainers (ToT) was held to a) train RC staff and volunteers and to b) conduct info sessions with older women. In Serbia, the ToT graduates organized 3-hr workshops for 32 RC staff and volunteers as well as for 209 gerontocarers. A training curriculum for social workers was, further, developed and accredited by the Serbian government. Subsequently, 20 social workers were trained. In Austria, an online course was developed due to COVID-19 and disseminated via the 9 local branches. It has recorded + 3,000 graduates. Due to high demand, the course was adapted for the public and translated for the IFRC learning platform.

• Empowerment: In both countries, information material in easy language was developed for older women to increase the awareness and knowledge of older women on their rights and on the issue of gender-based violence and abuse. In addition, 2-hr workshops for 225 older women in Serbia and 118 older women in Austria were organized and held by the ToT graduates.

• Advocacy: In Austria, a social media campaign was developed on the 1) causes and forms of violence, and 2) to give older women a voice, featuring the hashtag #shauhin. Via photo, video and audio posts on Facebook + 500,000 people could have been reached. Also, a landing page on violence/prevention on the AutRC website was created. In Serbia, the "Open Your Eyes" campaign was developed, which was launched via a global event and the opening of a photo exhibition on violence against older women in Belgrade's pedestrian zone. The campaign was also disseminated via social networks and though a poster campaign in 20 buses in 5 cities and various post offices in 11 cities in Serbia. Furthermore, a study visit to Austria took place in October 2021, where participants from Serbia were able to exchange knowledge and ideas with Austrian experts on violence against older women and preventive measures.