Search for European Projects

Young women’s empowerment for active citizenship
Start date: Nov 2, 2015, End date: Jun 1, 2016 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Our partnership’s research demonstrated that struggle for one’s rights should begin at an early age. The position and status of women all over the world has risen incredibly in the 20th century mainly through the efforts of women when they were young. That is why with this project we promoted the empowerment of young women using non-formal ways of learning. It included an active youth participation aspect due to its strong presence in non-formal education, peer leadership and peer education. Our partner from Azerbaijan led this youth exchange in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, as they believe that the situation with young women's status in Eastern Europe tends to be much more severe than that in the West. For a long time women in Eastern European countries remained within the four walls of their household, their dependence on men was total. And although much has changed within recent decades, the participants still felt the difference in attitudes towards men and women and, therefore, put more of their efforts to tear down the barriers to young women's empowerment. The 10 days youth exchange brought together 14 young people and 2 group leaders from the UK, Lithuania, Belarus and Azerbaijan to Baku, Azerbaijan. The exchange took place from the 9th to the 18th January, 2016 plus two travel days. This exchange included the full range of non-formal educational methods: - starting block of team-building and ice-breaking exercises where the atmosphere and group spirit were formed; - the main part of the project which consisted of a balanced set of various exercises (simulations, consensus and confrontation exercises, group works, etc.); - theoretical and practical inputs on empowerment-related topics. Educational objectives were reached by real experience together in the group rather than by some theoretical input, so the exchange was mostly based on the experiential learning principle. After introduction of theories, concepts and dilemmas related to the theme, the participants devised, shared ideas, prepared and implemented individual empowerment projects in accordance with the Open Space technology in mixed-nationality groups. This contributed to the participants’ inspiration, motivation and confidence. The exchange was complemented by mixed-nationality groups' project work, evaluation blocks and future planning. As a result of this youth exchange participants acquired the skills related to support of young women’s initiative, active citizenship, and creative forms of participation in both social and economic life; leadership skills; strategic planning skills; clear understanding of the human rights with a special focus on gender issues; attitude towards their own responsibility for promoting justice; abilities to help themselves and young women to improve their self-esteem and body image; awareness and understanding of the peer-led techniques and how they can affect the lives of young women in Europe and Partner Countries.

Looking for a partnership?
Have a look at
Ma Région Sud!
https://maregionsud.up2europe.eu

Coordinator

Details

3 Partners Participants