MINSK, 24 November (BelTA) – A new project of international technical assistance has been launched to develop Belarus' national capacity in combating gender-based violence with a focus on domestic violence, Olga Lukashkova, Program Associate with the Office of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Belarus, said at a press conference on 24 November.
The project will be implemented by UNFPA and the Belarusian Interior Ministry from 2016 to 2018 with the support of the UK Government and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
“The new project is based on the results of the previous joint projects. It involves the best practices with the greatest potential. The cooperation among the traditional partners (the Interior Ministry, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security) will be strengthened. The project also aims to expand the collaboration at the national and regional levels. Plans have been made to engage the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Health Ministry and other government agencies as partners,” Olga Lukashkova said.
The project will focus on the efforts to improve the laws on domestic violence to meet international standards. It will evaluate Belarus' readiness to join the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). The project will develop practical assistance and create a wide range of services for victims of violence. A long-term information campaign will be launched to change public attitudes towards domestic violence.
The new project of international technical assistance was approved by Resolution No. 879 of the Council of Ministers of 26 October 2016.
