At a press-conference on September 17, the Applied Research and Communications Fund and Association Parents announced the beginning of its National campaign against gender-based violence, financed by Norway Grants.
The two organisations explained why they undertook this project and pointed out that issues such as early sexualisation, the lack of parental control over the child’s Internet use, as well as the fact that children are increasingly exposed to online content unsuitable for their age, consolidate the stereotypes about the roles of the two sexes. These stereotypes, reinforced by the sexualized media and information environments, lead to the adoption of models and behaviour in which gender-based violence is perceived as something normal.
Dr. Luiza Shahbazyan introduced a research, conducted by ARC Fund, which established that a large percentage of Bulgarians between 15 and 17 years old are victims of some sort of violence – sexual, physical, emotional – committed by their intimate partners. At the same time, they tend to accept and justify such behaviour. The psychologist from Association Parents Antoaneta Kumanova summarised the tasks of the project and the steps that need to be taken for their completion. An open competition was announced for 12 volunteers, aged between 15 and 17, who will form the main work group for the preparation of messages, content and vision of the national campaign. The outputs of the project will include methodological materials for professionals working with the young people for prevention of gender-based violence. The materials will be developed in cooperation with the young volunteers and with teams of psychologists and representatives of the law-enforcement bodies.
When responding to the media questions, the experts underlined the important role of parents. They need to help their children since the early age to build a realistic perception about the gender relations, and to see the gender-based violence as intolerable.
