2024 Award "Best Practice in Citizen Participation"

The project ‘Strengthening women's support networks for the initial comprehensive care of women victims of violence and prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) in 14 rural communities in the Province of Manabí’ is a comprehensive initiative that seeks to transform the reality of violence faced by women. This project has the Santa Marta Women's Association as its social base and will be implemented in collaboration with it. The Santa Marta Provincial Women's Association has a broad presence in the 22 cantons of the province, with a network of more than 120 local women's organisations, which demonstrates its 35 years of experience in processes of dignity and social inclusion, thus ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of the processes of social transformation from the perspective of organised women.

Within the constitutional framework of Ecuador, National Councils were established to guarantee the rights of Ecuadorian citizens according to the Constitution and international instruments. Gender equality is promoted through various constitutional articles and ordinances at the provincial level, such as the ‘ORDINANCE FOR THE PREVENTION AND ERADICATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, TO ACHIEVE EQUALITY, INCLUSION, FULL GUARANTEE OF RIGHTS AND BUILD A CULTURE OF PEACE IN THE PROVINCE OF MANABÍ’, published in March 2021. This ordinance aims to prevent, protect and eradicate violence against women in all spheres, especially in situations of vulnerability, through comprehensive prevention, care and protection policies.

The project has made significant progress in its first phase of execution, implementing 14 initial comprehensive care centres for women victims of violence in the province of Manabí, a pioneering experience in the country. In addition, an ordinance has been created that legally supports the sustainability of these centres through the Technical Unit for Gender-based Prevention and Eradication. Among other achievements, 140 business kits were delivered to women victims of violence, 14 women's networks were strengthened in each centre, a comprehensive care team was established and a management model for the centres was developed. These results demonstrate the project's commitment and effectiveness in providing comprehensive care and restoring the rights of women affected by gender-based violence.

• https://www.manabi.gob.ec (External link)