Over one million for the strengthening and support of the services of the CAVs and authorized refuge homes. Interventions for women with disabilities, prevention in schools and minor victims of witnessed violence. With “Free Women” 3.486 million for active inclusion and employability. In September, new programming also for training of operators and housing autonomy
“On the fight against violence against women it is necessary to bring the discussion back to the facts, actions and resources actually put in place. The Calabria Region is carrying out a structured program that intervenes on prevention, protection, support for services, training of the professionals who operate in the network and on the paths of inclusion and autonomy of women. A program which, it is worth underlining, has been shared with the Regional Table, whose members know the timing and methods of disbursement of resources”.
This is what the regional councilor for Welfare and Equal Opportunities, Pasqualina Straface, declares, taking stock of regional interventions for the prevention and fight against gender violence.
“Let’s start with the Anti-Violence Centers and Shelters authorized to operate by the Calabria Region. As per the Prime Ministerial Decree 2024, they have over one million euros under their belt for the strengthening and support of services. We are talking about concrete resources intended to strengthen a network that carries out fundamental work on a daily basis in the reception, protection and accompaniment of women”.
Also within the resources of the Prime Ministerial Decree 2024, 250,800 euros were allocated to interventions aimed at highlighting the phenomenon of violence suffered by women with disabilities.
“We wanted to pay specific attention to women with disabilities, who may find themselves exposed to conditions of particular vulnerability. Bringing to light situations of violence that often remain hidden and building adequate responses means being able to reach those who are most at risk of remaining invisible.” On the prevention side, over 300 thousand euros, again under the 2024 Prime Ministerial Decree, were allocated to awareness-raising activities in comprehensive schools in Calabria, guaranteeing coverage for the entire 2025-2026 school year.
“Violence is not fought only when it has already happened. Prevention passes from education to respect, equality and healthy relationships. This is why we have chosen to invest in schools and in the new generations.”
Added to these measures are 350 thousand euros of 2025 regional funds intended for interventions in favor of minor victims of witnessed violence.
“We cannot forget the children and young people who witness violence within their families. They too are victims and need specific protection and support paths.” A further axis of the regional strategy is represented by the “Free Women” project, financed under the PR Calabria FESR ESF+ 2021-2027, with a total allocation of 3,486,200 euros for active inclusion and employability interventions.
The actions are aimed at promoting equal opportunities, non-discrimination and participation in the labor market, with particular attention to vulnerable groups, and provide for the strengthening of the network of social, health and employment services.
“The escape from violence cannot end with protection alone. A woman must be put in a position to rebuild her life and not be forced to go back due to lack of alternatives. Economic autonomy, training, inclusion and work are an integral part of a true path to freedom”.
Training of operators and women: an axis of the new programming
“One chapter in which we intend to invest with particular attention is that of training. In September, with the programming of the three-year plan based on the funds of the Prime Ministerial Decree 2025, specific resources will be provided for the training of the operators of the Anti-Violence Centers and Shelter Houses, because strengthening the network also means investing in the skills and qualifications of those who welcome, listen to and accompany women on the path to escape from violence on a daily basis”. Alongside the training of operators, the programming will also concern the training of women victims of violence, as a tool to strengthen their skills, employability and independence.
“They are two different but complementary dimensions: on the one hand we must have increasingly qualified services and adequately trained professionals; on the other we must offer women concrete opportunities to acquire new skills, access work and achieve economic independence. Freedom also comes from the possibility of having an income, a home and a job”.
The programming was shared with the regional table
Straface also intervenes on representation within the regional table.
“It is necessary to clarify that CADIC is not a legally recognized body. The managing bodies of the services authorized to operate by the Calabria Region participated in the Roundtable. And above all it should be remembered that all the planning was shared with the Roundtable, which knows exactly the timing and methods envisaged for the provision of resources.
The discussion with those who work alongside women on a daily basis is fundamental and will continue to be so. Precisely for this reason it is equally important that the work discussed and shared in institutional settings is correctly represented externally”.
The new programming starts in September
“The programming of the three-year plan will begin in September, drawing on the resources of the Prime Ministerial Decree 2025, through interventions aimed at strengthening and supporting services, the training of operators, housing autonomy and the training of women victims of violence. We want to simultaneously strengthen the network’s ability to intervene and that of women to build a path to full autonomy”.
The Calabria Region has also published a public notice for new Anti-Violence Centres, applications for which can be submitted by 30 September.
“The objective – concludes Straface – is to further expand and strengthen a qualified and widespread network across the territory. When it comes to violence against women, discussion is always useful, even when it is critical, but it must start from the facts.
The resources are there, the interventions are active and the new programming is ready to go. We will continue to work together with the Anti-Violence Centres, the Shelters and all the subjects of the network with an objective that comes before any controversy: to protect women and accompany them towards real freedom, made up of safety, skills, work, housing autonomy and economic independence”.