Awareness Raising Campaign by Mass Media to Combat GBV

Brief Description

In 2017-2019, the mass media ran an extensive information and awareness raising campaign based, among other things, on the Practical Guide to Information Campaigns for Raising Public Awareness about Prohibition of Religious Marriages with Minors designed by the Public Association Research Center for Democratic Processes. Innovative approaches (thematic forum theaters, flash mobs, dedicated mobile applications, etc.) became a positive factor that increased the efficiency of information campaigns, especially among youth. Other events included the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign to raise public awareness about the gender violence problem. The Ministry of Labour and Social Development, local government agencies, self-government bodies, nongovernmental and international organizations joined efforts to conduct a range of awareness raising and other events and activities across the country. These campaigns led to an increased number of reports to police and increased hotline traffic. The evidence is available from crisis centers. For example, in 2016, the System 112 hotline received 94 calls, including 85 on violence against women and 8 calls on violence against children, while in 2017 it received 169 calls, including 144 on violence against women and 24 on violence against children.