Violence Against Women Hidden before transition, violence against women, one of the key social mechanisms for maintaining women’s inequality, has now become a public issue. Through international training and co-funding with Soros foundations, NWP supports the development of sustainable women’s NGOs that respond to the multi-faceted problem of violence against women. Please visit the NWP 16 Days Campaign Website for more information. Women's Human Rights and Participation in Public Life Human rights instruments and mechanisms provide a powerful tool for articulating and advancing gender issues and incorporating them into law and practice. Within the framework of the global movement for women's human rights, NWP supports the development of women’s human rights leaders and advocates at local, national, regional, and international levels. NWP also supports the inclusion of young women from Soros network countries in educational and training opportunities to develop their decision-making and problem solving skills, creating tomorrow’s leaders. Subregional and Policy Initiatives The Soros foundations network spans diverse countries and regions, each with both unique and common challenges. In recognition of shared challenges, NWP promotes regional, collaborative, policy-focused activities initiated by the individual Soros foundations. Women and Education Education, which supports the introduction and exchange of new ideas, is integral to the development of open societies. Women and girls must have diverse opportunities to formulate their ideas and participate equally in the conceptualization of their societies, and develop skills and knowledge needed to join critical conversations about the future. While advocating for gender-aware systemic change through educational reform processes, the NWP also encourages the development of independent teaching and research on women, including gender studies. Romani Women The Roma in Europe continue to experience prejudice, discrimination, and violence. NWP supports multiple approaches to empowering Romani women in the region. Working with Romani colleagues, NWP supports efforts to build Romani women’s leadership and to increase Romani women’s access to Soros network resources and to international legislative bodies, funders, and activities related to Roma and women. Information and Documentation Consistent, analytically sufficient, and credible information on women and gender issues is a critical yet unmet need in Soros network countries. The NWP promotes and encourages locally initiated collaborative information projects and information exchange among Soros foundations and other women’s organizations. Community and Partnerships NWP promotes the development of gender-inclusive programming by international policy makers and funders in Soros network countries. Through outreach to potential donors and organizations, NWP aims to increase access to resources for women’s groups and encourage collaboration/joint projects. The program encourages U.S. and international donors who focus on women to include Soros network countries in their grant-making mandates. Women's Health Due to lack of resources, availability, and access to quality medical services, women are not receiving the care they need for their general and gender-specific medical concerns from national and private medical systems. To create a greater awareness of these issues, NWP and participating Soros foundations support educational and research-oriented health programs for women. Women in Conflict Zones Women continue to suffer enormously in gender-specific ways as a result of civil wars in Soros network countries. Systematic rape, forced pregnancy, and forced abortions, under the policies of ethnic cleansing, have become the most egregious violations of women’s human rights. The NWP aims to build upon existing analyses and efforts in the areas of conflict prevention and women in post-conflict processes, while supporting the Soros network’s efforts to make local, national, and regional interventions.