Center Shelter Edlira Haxhiymeri

Reported amount

$66,730

Contribution type

financial

Flow type

Standard

Donor

UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women

Recipient agency

Center Shelter Edlira Haxhiymeri

Destination

Albania

Plan

Unspecified

Sector

Protection - Gender-Based Violence

Decision date

01 Nov 2024

First reported

01 Apr 2025

Reference

27_21537

Multi-Sector - GBV Programming This project is designed to address the urgent and multifaceted needs of women and girls in Albania who are at heightened risk of violence due to a variety of intersecting factors, including gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, HIV status, experiences of trafficking, sex work, race, ethnicity, minority status, displacement, and LBT (Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender) identities. Despite ongoing efforts to combat violence and promote gender equality, women and girls in Albania continue to face pervasive discrimination and violence, with LBT individuals particularly vulnerable due to societal stigmatization, discrimination, and institutional violence. In a territory locally administered by 61 municipalities and a population of over 2.8 million inhabitants, the country has only 11 shelters (9 of them are emergency shelters) that offer specialized support to survivors of domestic violence; while only 5 of them are NGO-run shelters . The shelter “Streha LGBTI” is the only shelter in western Balkan who provide direct support including LBT women and girls, survivors of violence. The existing services are limited in providing rehabilitation and reintegration services, especially those focused on rehabilitation and empowerment of cases. The current support provided by the state to some shelters (cover approx. 20-30 % of the total budged of the shelter per year) is inadequate, failing to meet the full spectrum of client needs and contributing to concerns about staff resilience, especially during crises such as earthquakes, health emergencies, and other disruptions. Building on the successful collaborations between the Center ""Shelter Edlira Haxhiymeri"" and Streha Center, this project aims to enhance the resilience and capacity of these shelters to provide comprehensive, genderresponsive services to women and girls who have experienced violence, abuse, and discrimination. The project will offer a range of services, including safe accommodation, provision of basic needs, medical assistance, psychosocial and psychological counseling, vocational training, and integration into the job market. These services are critical for the long-term empowerment and reintegration of survivors, with support that can extend for up to three years in three municipalities Lezhe, Kurbin and Durres. The need for this project is underscored by the continued prevalence of violence against women and girls in Albania, exacerbated by a deeply conservative and patriarchal society that often fails to protect vulnerable populations. According to the Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) confirms what SEH experiences working directly with victims: • 52.9% of women aged 18-74 ‘ever’ experienced one or more of the five different types of violence during their lifetime; • 47.0% of women ‘ever’ experienced intimate partner domestic violence; • 65.8% of women ‘ever’ experienced dating violence; • 12.6% ‘ever’ experienced stalking. The number of domestic violence cases reported to the police has increased year by year, from 3.866 cases in 2015 è 5.064 cases in 2023 (State Police, 2023). The project's target groups include at least 150 women and girls who have survived violence, with a particular focus on LBT individuals, those from minority ethnic groups, self-identified sex workers, and those living in poverty or rural areas. These groups are disproportionately affected by violence and discrimination and often face multiple overlapping vulnerabilities that require specialized and tailored interventions. The project will adopt a gender-responsive, trauma-informed, and transformative approach to service delivery, ensuring that the specific needs of each target group are met. This approach will involve: Comprehensive Service Provision, Capacity Building and Resilience Strengthening, Expanding Geographic Coverage, Advocacy and Awareness-Raising: This project is not only a response to the immediate needs of survivors but also a proactive effort to create systemic change in how Albania addresses violence against women and girls. The project aims to build a sustainable framework for prevention, support, and empowerment through collaboration with state institutions, local organizations, and community stakeholders, ensuring all Albania's women and girls can live free from violence and fear.