Overcoming Crises: Reimagining Essential Services for Women Survivors of Violence in the Western Balkans after the COVID-19 Pandemic

This report presents the findings of an assessment conducted to evaluate the impact of various crises on the provision of services in response to violence against women (VAW). This assessment was conducted within the regional programme "Implementing Norms, Changing Minds," implemented by UN Women and funded by the European Union, and comes as a follow up of the assessment conducted in the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020).

The assessment is based on a survey conducted in March 2023 and aimed to identify the capabilities and limitations of service providers in addressing and preventing VAW, especially in the context of multiple crises. It also examines new challenges, including digital safety and technology-facilitated violence. In this respect, the findings seek to offer insights into how organizations are responding to these challenges and to inform policy and programming strategies for the prevention and response to violence against women.

The assessment used a mixed methodology, involving an online survey with 41 NGO programme partners providing support services to survivors of VAW, including those engaged in research and advocacy. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with selected organizations (12) from all programme countries in the Western Balkans and regional partners. The questionnaire was designed to allow for comparisons with the initial assessment while also addressing new issues, such as technology-facilitated violence.