Training of trainers for gender action Women Can Do It!

Background:In the whole SEE region and Moldova the exclusion of women from public and political life is based on a strong patriarchal heritage and traditional gender roles that are deeply rooted in the SEE societies. According to the Constitutions and the legal framework of the Balkan countries, all citizens are equal regardless of their sex. However, the reality is different. Women's participation in economic and political life is rather limited.The Women Can Do It (WCDI) project is a regional project for empowerment of women realized since 2001 in co-operation between the Norwegian Labour Party Women's movement, NPA and local partner organizations through specific training modules.

Goals:
To motivate women:

• To become more active in public and political life in their communities
• To develop new ways of organizing within political parties, NGOs, media and trade unions
• To introduce gender-awareness concept into their social activism
• To strengthen women's networks in social and political life
• To assert themselves in decision-making positions

Activities:
Trainings adapted to the specific target groups and socio-political situation in the respective territory:

• WCDI in local communities
• WCDI in political parties
• Young WCDI
• WCDI in media
• Women in focus

Geographic focus:
Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Kosovo province, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Moldova. Gender equality, gender issues and increasing number of women on leading positions is an open process with many similar challenges in these Balkan countries. NPA recognizes this fact and WCDI project supports various activities towards integration and harmonization within and between the countries in the region and Europe.

Partners:
Antico: www.antico.org.mk
Centre for Research and Gender Policy: vjollca_krasnici@hotmail.com
CESI - Centre for Education, Counselling and Research: www.cesi.hr
Stability: www.stability.do.am, Email:stability@mail.md
HORA-Group for Emancipation of Women: www.hora.org.yu
IFAW - Independent Forum for Albanian Women: fgsh@albnet.net
Lara: www.online-lara.com
Millennium: jkatro@albmail.com
Montenegrin Women's Lobby: mnzenskilobi@cg.yu
PAZ – Association of business Women: www.paz.org.yu
Sandglass: www.sandglass.org.yu
UWOM – Union of Women's Organizations of Macedonia: www.sozm.org.mk
Women Political Club 50:50: www.club50.md
Women`s Action: sslavica@cg.yu
Women Forum of Montenegro: womenforum@cg.yu
Women for Women: www.zenezenama.com.ba

Also, we are co-operating with all governmental bodies supporting gender equity mechanisms and with other international organizations (especially Gender Task Force of the Stability Pact).