WAVE Network - Building a Future Free from Gender-Based Violence against Women, their Children and Girls

forthcoming

WAVE is the only European feminist civil society network, comprised of more than 180 members across 46 European countries, dedicated to preventing and combating gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls. WAVE members are primarily grassroots women’s specialist services (WSS), including women’s shelters, centers and helplines, as well as related national networks. WAVE represents more than 1,600 European WSS. For 30 years, our network has been a key civil society partner to European institutions in the fight against GBV. WAVE’s three core work areas are: 1) Advocacy & campaigning to strengthen legislative action to prevent and combat VAWG. • Regular advocacy meetings with international policymakers (e.g. EU institutions, the Council of Europe, UN entities), and at the local, national and regional levels where appropriate. • Activities supporting WAVE members in their local, national and regional advocacy efforts through training and financial support to third parties (FSTP). • Communication and awareness-raising activities aimed at external stakeholders and the wider public. 2) Capacity building of WAVE members through trainings, partnership projects, working groups, networking events, seminars and conferences, as well as resource mobilization (e.g. financial support). • Trainings and mutual learning activities. Network development activities to increase the institutional capacity of the network. • Activities aimed at strengthening partnerships for sustainable growth, e.g. through international project collaboration and FSTP. 3) Building an evidence base on the status and value of women’s specialist services in Europe through data collection and supporting the development of policy papers and other publications on VAWG. • Communication through a diverse mix of channels, tools, and activities • Data collection & analysis of WSS and VAWG • Cross-border support for women fleeing VAWG from one country to another