EmpowHer aimed to raise awareness and train teaching staff and educators of training centres on gender-based violence and gender equality. The aim was to provide them with a theoretical understanding of the Istanbul Convention and practical and methodological tools to independently address these issues within educational programmes. This initiative targeted filling the existing field training gap, which is often outsourced. It was chosen to focus on this target group because it represents a crucial leverage point for effectively integrating these issues into regular educational programmes, thus ensuring greater awareness and protection of the younger generations. Furthermore, the project targeted contexts with a high risk of social exclusion, such as peripheral areas and socio-economically disadvantaged areas, to ensure an even more significant impact by providing students with the necessary tools to recognise and deal with situations of gender-based violence. Both female and male audiences were actively involved, promoting awareness of their rights and countering sexist and patriarchal attitudes.
The EmpowHer project stems from the desire to effectively address the issue of gender-based violence with an alternative methodology, providing an opportunity to disseminate the principles of the Istanbul Convention in a clear, accessible and interactive manner, and generating a tangible impact on the ground. Furthermore, training schools and training staff on gender equality is essential to create an inclusive and aware educational environment. It is precisely to educators, trainers, and teachers that the project addresses as a privileged target to perform the educational function with the youngest. Through the Istanbul Convention, it is possible to provide an international legal instrument to prevent and combat violence against women and promote a more equal and inclusive society. Bringing the principles of the Convention to young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is crucial to creating a culture of respect and equality from an early stage of life, while also contributing to achieving the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which aims to eliminate gender inequality and violence against women.