"A Chance for New Life" - a strong start for underprivileged young women in Bulgaria

Nadja Centre was founded in 2003 in response to the increasing rates of violence against women and the absence of adequate assistance for the survivors of violence in Rousse, a city with a population of about 178,000. The multidisciplinary team from the centre helps women and children overcome the consequences of the violence they have experienced and improve their position in society. They do this by providing shelters, telephone help-lines and legal services. The centre also raises awareness and provides education to change social attitudes toward domestic and sexual violence.

A way out

Within Nadja Centre’s project, "A Chance for New Life", 75 girls between the ages of 17 and 19 from two schools in Rousse take part in a year-long programme of schooling, guidance and group counselling. This programme offers a way out of their current circumstances, which are often characterised by violence, poverty, poor relationships with parents and other care-givers, bad grades and high rates of dropping out of school. These conditions and a lack of opportunities make the girls vulnerable to (sexual) abuse and trafficking. The project was set up to reduce and prevent the above-mentioned problems. The programme consists of a training course that prepares the girls to do administrative work (at the end of which they receive a diploma), education about health and sexual and reproductive rights, group counselling sessions, training for job interviews, and visits to relevant social organisations in Rousse.

Personal choices

Mama Cash believes that this project is a good example of an effective way to fight violence against women and trafficking. Namely, to empower the young women who are most at risk, so that they can make good, well thought out choices. The project combines training and counselling in the area of bodily integrity – sexual and reproductive righs, domestic and sexual violence – with strengthening the girls’ economic position, by motivating them to finish school and helping them to secure occupational training.

Authors: Esther Vonk, MamaCash Programme Officer Europe and CIS, and Ingrid Verver, MamaCash Communication Officer.