Belarus

Organisation

La Strada Belarus is a programme implemented by the "Young Women’s Christian Association of Belarus" (BYWCA). BYWCA was registered as a non-governmental organisation in 1996. In 1999, BYWCA affiliated to the World YWCA women's movement (established 150 years ago), which currently unites women and girls in 122 countries all over the world.

The main aim of BYWCA is to raise women's status in society and promote women's rights. All programmes of BYWCA are focused on women's needs in different domains: gender-based violence (including trafficking and domestic violence), reproductive health, development of (young) women leadership skills, gender education, etc.

BYWCA joined the La Strada network in 2001, but has been developing anti-trafficking projects since 1998. Since 2001, La Strada Belarus has developed into an independent expert programme in Belarus on the issue of human trafficking, acting as a resource and consultation centre for other NGOs, governmental structures and for international agencies based in Belarus.

Our staff comprises ten professional and dedicated women; all of them have different degrees in social, sociological, juridical and psychological spheres and a strong human rights and NGO background.

Information & Lobby

The main aim of lobby work in Belarus is to bring national anti-trafficking legislation in accordance with international standards in the area of prevention, protection and assisting trafficked persons and prosecution. La Strada sees its role in monitoring state commitments and promoting effective mechanisms of implementation of law. La Strada actively contributed to the creation of the first National Action Plan against trafficking (2002-2007) and lobbied for developing a new programme. In 2005, La Strada recommendations were incorporated into the Presidential Ordinance on the status of trafficked person.

Although NGOs in Belarus operate in difficult political, social and economic circumstances, they play a crucial role in addressing human trafficking. La Strada facilitates exchange of information and best practices between NGOs through seminars, conferences and study visits, which contribute significantly in strengthening the NGO sector and articulating its interests, needs and rights.

La Strada's work with the general public and mass-media is aimed at forming a well-informed public opinion about the problem of trafficking and friendly attitudes toward survivors of different forms of trafficking. La Strada issues monthly press releases for journalists and organises events and published a manual for journalists.

Finally, La Strada monitors trafficking trends and conducts research that enables us to understand regional tendencies better and to provide adequate solutions to the emerging challenges. La Strada Belarus has conducted various research projects for ECPAT International, IOM, UNDP and OSCE.

Prevention & Education

The Belarusian Prevention and Education Campaign is aimed at empowering people to make informed decisions about migration abroad. It focuses its activity on two main target groups - those at risk (school children, students, unemployed, orphans of both genders), and specialists working with these risk groups. Since 2004, La Strada is coordinating a network of specialists that implements prevention activities all over the country. Trainers of the network advance their knowledge at a special course offered every year by La Strada. They are also provided with booklets, leaflets, posters, cards and video materials for effective prevention work.

The La Strada hotline is an integral part of the Belarusian La Strada programme. It is in operation since 2001 and provides information and counselling on safe migration on a national toll-free number. La Strada believes that anti-trafficking strategies should not limit freedom of movement. Thus, equipping citizens with migration information could serve as one effective tool in reducing risks of trafficking.

Social Assistance

Offering social assistance provides access to social services and justice of trafficked persons in the form of reintegration and rehabilitation programmes. By referring trafficked person to La Strada Belarus partner organisations, a comprehensive range of services is being provided, including medical, psychological, legal, informational, emotional, financial and vocational trainings. Since 2004, La Strada operates a mini-shelter, where women survivors of trafficking have access to safe short-term accommodation and can obtain required assistance.

All La Strada services are free of charge and are based on the principle of respect for the human rights of trafficked persons. We offer confidentiality and anonymity and only work on the basis of voluntary participation of beneficiaries.

La Strada pays special attention to the promotion and development of the National Referral Mechanism, which ensure protection and assistance for trafficked persons all over the country through institutionalised cooperation between governmental and non-governmental organisations.