А successful mentoring program that breaks the cycle of violence

The dedicated one-year work of four social mentors with 15 women from North Macedonia who survived violence delivered excellent results. 13 of them got employment and kept it, and two of these started their own business. Economic empowerment, work integration, and the strengthening of women's self-confidence contributed to the realization of the desired positive outcome of the program. None of the women involved in the program returned to the perpetrator of violence.

Economically vulnerable women often remain in an abusive relationship or return to the abuser due to financial dependence and no other exit options. The social mentoring program of PUBLIC – Association for Research, Communications and Development, adapted for women who have survived violence, proves that with a comprehensive approach to empowering women, they can exit the cycle of violence and build a new life.

The dedicated one-year work of four social mentors with 15 women from North Macedonia who survived violence delivered excellent results. 13 of them got employment and kept it, and two of these started their own business. Economic empowerment, work integration, and the strengthening of women's self-confidence contributed to the realization of the desired positive outcome of the program. None of the women involved in the program returned to the perpetrator of violence.

“This is a new world for me, very different from the one I walked in before”. "Without the social mentoring, I would have fallen into an even bigger maze of problems”. "Now I know that I live." - are part of the statements of the mentees.

“Economic violence is one of the most common forms of violence against women and is usually accompanied by other types of domestic violence. Also, women who are in an economically vulnerable situation are more likely to become victims of violence and remain in a violent relationship. That is why UN Women in partnership with "Public" implements a program for economic empowerment of women who have survived violence, through a comprehensive and individual approach such as social mentoring, which is key in the process of social reintegration of women”, says Vesna Ivanovikj- Castarede, Head of the UN Women office in North Macedonia.

The program envisages the professional upgrading of the women in order to become more competitive in the labor market, while at the same time the employer is prepared to properly integrate the mentored person.

“Mentors who continuously upgrade and improve, a support team and supervision sessions in terms of psychological support of social mentors, communication with businesses in the creation of individual plans, continuous sensitization of the institutions that are an important link in the process of social mentoring and preparing businesses to create conditions for inclusive workplaces adapted to the needs of the employee. All these are factors for success” - says Klimentina Ilijevski, executive director of Public.

Social mentoring also affects the social mentors themselves, who are rightly proud of the program and the change they have achieved. The four mentors were awarded certificates in December 2022 for the successful completion and implementation of the adapted social mentoring program for women survivors of violence.

“Throughout the year, we have been a pillar that can be relied upon, and that is the success of the entire process and project. If we weren't here, as social mentors, the challenges these women face could be much more complex, economically, legally and socially. That's why I'm proud of the whole process, and we're well on our way to moving this group away from the margins in society” stressed the mentor Dragana Lazarevska. Her colleague Irena Stojchevska adds: “For me, there is no greater recognition than the one that comes from the women with whom and for whom we work. To open the horizons for these women, to see their potential, the affinities they have, accompanied by motivation and desire for success, is the most important accomplishment for me. Social mentoring is a real need and should be provided to many vulnerable categories of people.”