TAcKling thE sTigma of gender-based violence tHrough thE uSe of TheAtrical methodoloGiEs

Gender-based violence as a violence directed against a person because of their gender is a violation of human rights. More specifically under the Istanbul Convention it is defined as acts of gender-based violence which are emphasised as resulting in ‘physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering mostly done to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.’ Many forms of gender-based violence as described in the actual definition of the EIGE Institute are rooted in power inequalities between women and men. According to EGGSI national reports, the most common individual consequences of violence reported include emotional and mental consequences on women and children including psychological disturbances, anxiety, low self-esteem, reduction in self-assurance and abilities and resources to cope with the situation, fear of the future, depression, as well as consequences in terms of social inclusion and economic precariousness which may include facing problems on the labour market due to various physical or psychological impairments . Moreover, theatre performance has been used in numerous actions to work for social inclusion. This approach is based on the idea of developing key competences and skills, increasing self-confidence and self-esteem, thus promoting social inclusion. Moreover, “Theatre of the Oppressed”, a technique developed by Augusto Boal in the 70s, aims at analysing rather than accepting a situation and questioning it rather than giving answers. Especially, Forum Theatre in which a scene is presented showing a situation of oppression that the protagonist does not know how to solve, and the spect-actors are invited to replace the protagonist and act out all possible solutions or strategies. "Take the stage" aims to apply and adapt these techniques to the empowerment of victims of gender violence to provide a holistic and sustainable support for their re-integration in society through theatre techniques.

The main aim of the project "Take the Stage" is to develop capacity building for professionals working in the field of victim support of gender based violence. The project aims to teach them tools and mechanisms directed at victims of gender violence in order to provide holistic and sustainable support for their better re-integration in the society through the use of theatre techniques in their interventions. By working with these techniques and through reflection, innovation and collaboration an empowerment and better social inclusion of the final beneficiaries shall be achieved. Therefore, the specific objectives of this project are: • To strengthen the counsellors’ skills and competences • To enhance a more inclusive society • To empower victims of gender-violence and enhance their re-integration into society • To promote gender equality Target groups: - Counsellors and professionals working in the field of support provision to victims of gender-based violence. - Victims of gender-based violence - General public

Regarding the activities that will be implemented in the Take the Stage project, we can mention the following: - Research on different pedagogical approaches, motivational and communication skills, theatre techniques to use with victims of gender-based violence and guidelines on how to carry out a theatre play. - Training of professionals on the methodology developed by the partnership to implement theatre techniques in victim support. - Mapping of the main organisations at local, regional and national level from all partner countries working on the provision of support to victims of gender-based violence. - Development of a web app that will show in a visual map the different organisations working with victims of gender-based violence. - Development of an online course based on the theatre methodology created by the partnership - Creation of a platform that will host the online course as well as videos from the training event - Multiplier events on two big days: The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25/11) and the International Women’s Day (08/03) to raise the awareness of the general public on this issue, impact more people and disseminate the project at big gatherings.

The specific results to be developed during the project’s funding period will be the following: R1: Guide for professionals working with victims of gender-based violence to implement theatre techniques including teaching approaches, motivation, communication techniques and soft skills, as well as guideline on how to carry out a theatre play to empower them and support their personal development. R2: Public raise awareness campaign through the set-up of information kiosks in each partner country to inform the general public and potential victims of gender-based violence on the results of the project in remarkable dates such as International Women’s Day and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. R3: Development of a data base with the main organisations and associations working with victims of gender-based violence in each partner country which will be available through a web app. R4: Take the Stage Online Platform, which will be the curricular development of the methodology developed on R1 to train other counsellors and professionals working with victims of gender-based violence in other parts of the partner countries.