In January 2022 the Twinning project in Azerbaijan dealing with capacity building of state institutions and local monitoring groups with the aim to support victims of domestic violence and to contribute to their safety will end. The project was implemented in a multinational cooperation between Azerbaijan and EU member states Lithuania and Austria, represented by LBI-GMR, and started in September 2020.

The closing event took place at the House of Government in Baku (Azerbaijan) on 12 January 2022 – the Austrian project partners were connected online. Austrian Ambassador Alexander Bayerl, Lithuanian Ambassador Egidijus Navikas, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation Peter Michalko and Azerbaijani Deputy Chairperson of the State Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs, Sadagat Gahramanova ceremonially opened the event.

Azerbaijani Project Leader Sadagaht Gahramanova warned, “Violence against women happens anywhere, there is no safe place, not even at home. Women are targeted at home as well as in their workplace, in schools and universities, on the street, and increasingly online through cyber violence and hate speech.”

“The EU is committed to preventing, openly rejecting and condemning all acts of violence against women and children and sharing best practices to strengthen safety and support to victims of domestic violence,” said European Union Ambassador Peter Michalko.

Achieved project goals were presented – among others the Austrian and Lithuanian experts developed 6 training programs and 680 participants – judges, police officers, local executive staff, psychologists, teachers, social workers, journalists and NGO staff – were able to complete these trainings.

Domestic violence is a global challenge. Sabine Mandl, Project Leader from Austria, explained during the event that combating domestic violence is a long-term project. With the help of the twinning project in Azerbaijan, a significant contribution could be made. “We have achieved a lot,” Mandl said.