Final Evaluation: Building Resilience and Response to Violence against Women and Girls under COVID-19 in Albania (Albania)

Location: Albania

Grantee:IAMANEH Schweiz

Grant period: June 2021-May 2024

Grant amount: USD 989,445

Authors/editors:IDRA Research and Consulting

Publication year: 2024

IAMANEH Schweiz implemented “Building resilience and response to violence against women and girls under COVID-19 in Albania” in 10 municipalities in northern and central Albania from June 2021 to May 2024. Implementing partner Woman to Woman focused on the municipalities of Shkodra, Puka, Fushë Arrëz, Malësi e Madhe and Vau i Dejës in the north, while implementing partner Counselling Line for Women and Girls focused on the municipalities of Tirana, Shijak, Devoll, Bulqiza and Rrogozhina in central Albania. 

The project aimed to empower women and girls, improve access to support services, and enhance the capacity of local institutions to respond effectively to violence against women and girls. Key interventions included awareness campaigns, capacity-building workshops for service providers, and establishing support networks for survivors of violence.

Main findings of the evaluation:

• The project improved the health and well-being of women and girl survivors as well as their family members, by offering holistic support services, such as psychosocial and legal support, and engaging local stakeholders in survivor-centred support. This included survivors receiving 7,519 psychological counselling and 3,032 legal aid sessions.
• The targeted groups of Roma and Egyptian women, often marginalized and underserved, received comprehensive support services, resulting in a 34% increase during the project period in awareness about their legal rights and the protections against domestic violence; a 5% increase in self-reported empowerment; and a 300% increase in registrations for social services.
• Targeted empowermentsessions and tailored support services, including psychosocial and legal assistance, reached 425 women and girls with disabilities. However, challenges such as accessibility and cultural barriers remained, indicating a need for ongoing efforts to ensure equal access to services.
• Key outcomes of the project, including stronger referral mechanisms, recommendations to improve and standardize protocols, and proactive legal reforms, created a cohesive and resilient support system. Various stakeholders recognized the project’s contribution to the increased reporting of cases and strengthened protection for survivors, resulting from improved information dissemination and enhanced coordination.