» About 250 children aged 5 to 7 participated in this project in Bulgaria, Italy and Greece. In this age group, children typically begin to form their own values and attitudes, including learning about behaviors that are considered appropriate for girls and boys respectively. The education system is a key factor in this process, as is the family. The availability of curricula and training materials on issues such as equality between women and men, non-stereotyped gender roles, mutual respect, non-violent conflict resolution in interpersonal relationships, gender-based violence against women and the right to personal integrity, opens up space for early of gender-based violence* prevention. The end-result may be strengthening children's thoughtfulness and critical attitude to all forms of violence in their life as adults.
» One of the target groups under this project consists of 180 kindergartens teachers, preschool and primary school teachers, sports coaches, teachers engaged in extracurricular activities in the three countries. They have been chosen because they are actively engaged in the education and upbringing of preschool and primary school students. Raising their awareness and skills will help bring about positive change
» Another target group features 300 parents, having children at preschool and primary school age. They have been involved in the process because they are agents of primary importance in their children's socialization, by shaping through their authority and otherwise their attitudes and the way they perceive the world around them. Parents' role is indispensable. They could encourage children to think critically and challenge social norms, resulting in violence or they could restrict them. Without their involvement and support in this delicate process, changing the perspective can become quite difficult.
The involvement of both parents and teachers allows for reaching out to two key social systems, having the strongest influence on the shaping of children's ideas and value system. It can be assumed that the more sensitive and aware these two target groups are, the more effective they would be in supporting children to build healthy relationships.
*Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence - Article 14, paragraph. 1
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