You are not alone

All people in Lithuania are prevented from discrimination. Statute of equal opportunities between man and woman in Lithuania was adopted on 1 December 1998.The statute ensures the same opportunities for men and women in all spheres of life. The opporunities are proteced by the authorities who must ensure that their regulations do not violate rights of both sexes. Authorities are also constantly increasing awareness and supportfor prevention programsand measuresfortheirimple-mentation.

In Gargždai equal rights between man and women were started to be examined just recently. The most widely echoed project „You're not alone" implemented by Gargždai Social Service Center. The purpose of this project is to help women (and their children) suffering from domestic violence. The main idea of the project is to encourage them to change their lives.

Women who have voluntarily referred to a local crisis center were given a complex (social, psychological, legal, temporary accomondation) support during the project. Project executives, responsible for inter-institutional cooperation and complex support of woman, gathered quarterly in a steering group.

The project also offered educational activities on the domestic violence problems (dissemination of booklets, posters, articles in local newspaper, municipalities website). Meetings with the community members and social worker were organised by seeking to increase public awareness of domestic violence.

A crisis center in Gargždai works constantly (24/7) and its main task is to consult and inform women about domestic violence, to mediate and represent in matters with law enforcement.