Tirana – Italy and Albania launch a project to combat gender violence

Italy strikes a blow against gender violence in Albania with a project called “Gemal – Gender Mainstreaming in Albania: on the side of women against violence and exploitation”. The project, which was promoted by an NGO, CIES (Development Information and Education Centre) and co-financed with approximately 800,000 euros from Italian Development Cooperation, started in Tirana a few days ago, at the presence of Albanian Minister of Youth and Social Welfare, Blendi Klosi, and the Italian Ambassador in Tirana, Alberto Cutillo. The direct beneficiaries of the initiative are 1,648 persons (of which 1,490 are women) identified through social services, municipal social workers, employment offices, and the anti-violence and anti-trafficking units of the State Police and Judicial Authorities. The aim of the project is to improve prevention and protection services for women suffering discrimination and abuse in Shkodër, Elbasan and Vlorë by supporting local institutions in developing gender-specific policies as well as local associations in taking action to empower women.