In collaboration with the Resilience Center Kurbin, we conducted an informative session on gender-based violence and domestic violence, focusing on the protection of human rights. The meeting took place in the premises of the Resilience Center Kurbin, with participants including girls, women, and men from the community, mainly from families facing socio-economic problems related to the issue of violence.

During the meeting, we discussed on identifying various forms of gender-based and domestic violence, which often remain hidden within cultural contexts due to stereotypes and mentality that considers them "normal" within offered perceptions such as: “violence has come out from heaven”, “who beats you loves you” or “a woman is born in a foreign house and goes to her own house”. Attendees mentioned that the main factors influencing cases of domestic violence and gender-based violence are difficult economic situations, patriarchal mentality, low educational levels, perpetrators' mental health issues, alcohol use, etc.

Furthermore, participants were informed about how and where violence can be addressed/reported, valuable information for community members who are or may be victims themselves, as well as encouragement for them to come to the aid of others in need.

Another important aspect emphasized during the session were the services offered by the Resilience Center in Kurbin, which serves as a shelter for ongoing support and education not only for parents bringing their children for psychosocial, speech therapy, and psychotherapy services but also for the community in general.

This activity is part of the “Improving Community Resilience” (ICR) programme, funded by USAID and implemented by UNDP Albania, in partnership with the Municipality of Kurbin and the organization “Together for Life”.