Empowering adult women against technology-facilitated violence

<< Background >>The partnership launched the ESSENTIAL project with a shared goal to support, empower, and enhance women’s resilience against technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), a widespread issue lacking public understanding and systematic prevention. The project addressed several critical, underserved needs:- Recognition of Digital Violence as Serious Harm: ESSENTIAL challenged the marginalisation of TFGBV (e.g. cyberstalking, harassment, revenge porn), promoting its recognition as serious violence with lasting mental and social impacts.- Support for an Overlooked Age Group (35–50 years): Adults aged 35–50 often lack digital safety skills, making them more vulnerable. ESSENTIAL specifically targeted this often-neglected demographic.- Empowerment Through Practical Tools: Women gained digital self-protection strategies, knowledge, and skills to prevent and respond to TFGBV.- Public Awareness-Raising: The project improved public understanding of TFGBV and its effects via podcasts, social media campaigns, and educational tools, challenging stigma.- Community-Based Peer Support: ESSENTIAL built peer networks offering solidarity, emotional support, and tools for healing—empowering survivors to become advocates.<< Objectives >>Through the ESSENTIAL project, we aimed to combat the rising issue of technology-facilitated violence against women by addressing key gaps in awareness, education, and support across Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Italy. Our goals were to increase protection and empowerment for adult women, especially those with low digital literacy or living in vulnerable conditions, by creating accessible resources, practical tools, and safe spaces for sharing and healing. We also sought to train professionals working with women, raise public awareness of the impact of online violence, and strengthen the capacity of our partner organisations through cross-border collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of expertise.<< Implementation >>Through the project the partners implemented three key activities:- Created and disseminated an interactive handbook offering practical tools and information - the handbook is 77 pages long, produced in English, Bulgarian, Lithuanian and Italian with 5 thematic chapters aimed to increase understanding of various aspects of digital violence against women and provide practical prevention and support strategies. The handbook was piloted through focus groups in the 3 partner countries with participation of over 50 women in total.- Created and developed ESSENTIAL support communities in each partner country which serve as knowledge collection hubs, as well as sources for emotional support and navigation towards institutional provision of support and defense (e.g. reporting schemes, legal aid, etc.) - Developed and implemented educational and awareness-raising campaigns targeting broader societal attitudes and understanding of TFGBV, including podcasts with experts, awareness raising events and trainings for adult women.<< Results >>Specific outputs:- An interactive ‘ESSENTIAL’ handbook created available in 4 languages- 3 local piloting activities of the handbook with 50 participants- An ‘ESSENTIAL’ manual flyer for supporting victims of technology-based violence, PDF version, equivalent to 2 pages distributed in printed and digital formats available in English, Bulgarian, Lithuanian, and Italian.- 3 local Facebook support groups established with 293 members in total by the end of the project- Implemented 9 comprehensive local training and awareness-raising sessions for 93 women in 3 partner countries- Implemented 3 local training for 40 adult education providers and workers- Developed 3 podcasts complementary to the handbook, each 30-45min length, engaging 3 external experts in 3 partner countries- Implemented 3 local awareness-raising events, engaging 60 participants of the general public in 3 partner countriesOther results:- Ensured the participation of female workshop participants from several marginalized groups: Roma women, rural women and factory workers.- Built collaboration and partnerships with various institutions including a municipality, a University department, a factory, radios in Bulgaria and Italy, etc.