Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10PRAIA77
2010-02-20 00:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Praia
Cable title:  

CAPE VERDE: S/GWI PROJECT PROPOSAL

Tags:  KWMN PREL SOCI PHUM CV 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHPA #0077/01 0510030
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 200030Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY PRAIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1951
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
RUEHPA/AMEMBASSY PRAIA 2932
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 PRAIA 000077 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR S/GWI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PREL SOCI PHUM CV
SUBJECT: CAPE VERDE: S/GWI PROJECT PROPOSAL

REF: SECSTATE 132094

PRAIA 00000077 001.2 OF 004


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 PRAIA 000077

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR S/GWI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PREL SOCI PHUM CV
SUBJECT: CAPE VERDE: S/GWI PROJECT PROPOSAL

REF: SECSTATE 132094

PRAIA 00000077 001.2 OF 004



1. (U) Embassy Praia is pleased to submit this funding request
for the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues' Small
Grants Initiative to support the construction of the first
shelter for victims of domestic violence in Cape Verde, as
proposed by the Association of Battered Women of Cape Verde
Islands, Inc. (BWCVI).


PROBLEM STATEMENT
--------------



2. (U) Violence against women in Cape Verde is a widespread
problem deeply rooted in the country's traditional gender roles.
The most common form of gender-based violence is spousal abuse.
In fact, an estimated 60 percent of Cape Verdean women have
been physically or sexually abused at least once by their spouse
or domestic partner. In recent years, public awareness
campaigns organized by the GOCV and NGOs have encouraged victims
to report criminal offenses such as rape and spousal abuse. As
a result, more and more victims are speaking out to bring this
once private matter into the public view. However, victims who
denounce their abusers suffer from a lack of a support system
and many victims remain in or return to their abusive
relationship.

CONTEXT
--------------



3. (U) While visiting Cape Verde in August 2009, Secretary
Clinton praised the government of Cape Verde (GOCV) as a model
of democracy and economic progress in Africa. She commented on
the high level of female participation in government and noted
that women account for more than half of the GOCV cabinet. This
broad, public participation by women should not mask the deeper
issues of violence against women that pervade all levels of Cape
Verdean society. The key area that the Secretary viewed as a
shortcoming was in the response to domestic violence and she
appealed to the GOCV to take action to combat gender-based
violence.


4. (U) The Secretary's statement on gender-based violence has
been pivotal in increasing the pace of change to address this
important issue. Since her visit, gender-based violence in
general and violence against women in particular has been the
subject of extensive public debate. In response to the
increased public consciousness, the government and women's
organizations have intensified their efforts to mobilize the

resources necessary to respond to the growing needs of victims
of domestic violence. However, few concrete steps have been
taken and many women continue to face domestic violence without
any support or hope. This lack of support services adds to the
intensity of fear, despair, and confusion for victims. Post
believes that the construction of this shelter will provide an
important tangible step forward in addressing the issue of
domestic violence.


5. (U) If selected for funding, the shelter will builds on the
Embassy4s efforts to combat gender-based violence and promote
gender equality. The Embassy has been active in raising public
awareness and supporting legal reform thus far, but a key
component that has not been addressed is a safe location to
support victims that are fleeing an unsafe environment. This
shelter will be especially critical since it is slated for
construction on the island of Fogo, which according to the
Institute of Gender Equality and Equity quality, currently has
the highest rates of domestic violence per capita in the country.

PROJECT PROPOSAL
--------------


6. (U) Post and BWCVI propose the construction of a shelter for
victims of domestic violence on Fogo. While victims in Fogo
will be the first to directly benefit from the shelter, it will
also offer educational programs and increase awareness to
promote systematic change throughout Cape Verde. The project is
intended to be done on a cost sharing basis since the full cost
for construction will be USD 250,000. BWCVI has already secured
USD 72,000 for the project and the U.S. support would likely
encourage the GOCV and other foundations to move forward with
the proposed contributions. Post is requesting USD 100,000 from
S/GWI to form the cornerstone investment and enable construction
to move forward. If approved, the S/GWI funds will be able to
participate in a much larger project than the 100,000 USD
contribution could provide on its own.


7. (U) The primary goal of this project is to improve safety and
provide refuge for domestic violence victims and their
dependents. In addition, the project will provide access to

PRAIA 00000077 002.2 OF 004


psycho-social services, transitional living, life skills
education, professional training and legal advocacy.
Comprehensive programming at the shelter will also include
education and prevention programs to educate the public about
domestic violence, its consequences, and how to eradicate it
from Cape Verdean society.


8. (U) Overall, BWCVI has a two-phased approach to addressing
the problem of domestic violence in Fogo which began in 2007.
(1) It established a support office to provide social and
psychological counseling to women victims of domestic violence
or at risk of becoming victims. The organization is now ready
to embark on (2) the construction of an appropriate building to
shelter women and children victims of domestic violence. The
shelter will also allow for the provision of support services
and job training programs to help victims break the cycle of
violence and economic dependency.

The BWCVI shelter will include:
- Six Rooms with private bathrooms to accommodate up to 24
victims and their dependents
- Kitchen and cafeteria facilities
- An amphitheater - capacity more than 200 people
- An office for technical personnel to attend victims
- An office for administrative support

Note: Detailed architectural plans and artists renderings are
available upon request. End note.

BUDGET
--------------



9. (U) The shelter for victims of domestic violence is a
cost-sharing project with a total budget of USD 265,000. BWCVI
has received land to construct a permanent shelter and is
actively seeking funds from national and international partners,
including the GOCV and the African Women's Development Fund,
Mama Cash, to finance the construction costs. To date, over 27%
(USD 72,000) of the expected costs have been raised through
private institutions and individual donations. BWCVI is
requesting USD 100,000 from the Secretary's Office of Global
Women's Issues' Small Grants Initiative as a one-time cost to
cover partial construction costs of the project. BWCVI
anticipates that construction for the shelter will be completed
in six months after receiving the funding. BWCVI already has
two engineers who will oversee the construction phases of the
project, on a pro-bono basis.

EXPENSES (USD)
Foundation 1,900
Stone and Cement Blocks 39,000
Cement Concrete (B20/A400) 70,000
Wall and Ceiling finishing 38,000
Floor Pavement 34,000
Ceiling 2,500
Doors and Windows in aluminum 23,900
Wood work for the kitchen 1,100
Network of Water and Sewage 11,600
Bathroom furnishings 6,300
Iron works for stair protections 2,200
Electrical works 7,400
Painting 27,100
--------------
TOTAL EXPENSES 265,000

PROPOSED SOURCES OF FUNDS (USD)
S/WGI Grant 100,000
GoCV 20,000
African Women4s Dev. Foundation 50,000
Individual Contributions 70,000 (50K already donated)
Fundraising Events 25,000 (22K already
donated)
--------------
TOTAL REVENUES 265,000


DESCRIPTION OF THE RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION
--------------


10. (U) BWCVI is a non-profit organization established in
December of 2007 as a 501(c)(3) in the United States. The
organization has since obtained its legal status as a Cape
Verdean NGO. The mission of BWCVI is to empower and enhance the
quality of life for women affected by, or at risk for, domestic
violence. The organization is dedicated to identifying and
developing opportunities to improve safety for women and their
dependents, to centralize and develop coordinated victims'
services, and to promote empowerment and equality of women
within their homes, communities and nation.


PRAIA 00000077 003.2 OF 004



11. (U) BWCVI has four full-time employees, and works with a
core group of physicians, nurses, teachers, lawyers and
psychologists who provide volunteer services. The organization
also provides capacity-building for women through education,
orientation and professional training. BWCVI works in
partnership with Cape Verde's Network of Women Economists and
The Institute of Gender Equality and Equity to support domestic
violence intervention and prevention through coordination,
training, and collaboration with systems that affect victims of
domestic violence. Post has worked closely with this
organization in the past and is confident in their ability to
successfully execute this project.


12. (U) Once the shelter is fully funded, BWCVI will use the
resources to:
- Build Cape Verde's first shelter to provide safe haven for
battered women and their dependents;
- Strengthen cooperation and communication among the criminal
justice system, hospitals and social agencies in Fogo, Cape
Verde to improve the efficiency and effectiveness in handling
domestic violence cases;
- Provide psychosocial and referral services to affected women;
- Educate and empower women through life skills and
vocational/professional training that give victims marketable
skills; and
- Establish multiple public awareness campaigns to help educate
and prevent future domestic violence.


13. (U) For the past two years, BWCVI has operated a support
center for domestic violence victims temporarily housed in the
administration building of a local Church. The center has
already provided community referrals, counseling and advocacy
services to more than 120 battered women. Although the facility
currently serves as an emergency shelter for victims seeking
refuge, it does not offer adequate and suitable accommodation
for victims looking for real protection.


PROPOSED POST MANAGEMENT OF S/GWI GRANT
--------------


14. (U) Post's Self-Help Coordinator will be responsible for
serving as the Embassy's liaison for project management and
oversight. The coordinator will also conduct two site visits
during construction to ensure funds are spent for the intended
purposes and project is executed on time. BWCVI will be
responsible for the day-to-day administrative, financial and
project management. BWCVI will also be required to provide
quarterly and annual narrative and financial reports.


15. (U) One key indicator of the shelter's success will be the
number of victims that it protects and supports. We anticipate
that, if funded by June 2010, the numbers could be as follows:

2010 - 50 victims protected (emergency shelter in church)
2011 - 120 victims protected (new S/WGI project shelter)
2012 - 160 victims protected
2013 - 200 victims protected

A second indicator of the project's effectiveness will be the
number of domestic violence cases reported on Fogo and other
islands. We will see the numbers of victims decline,
particularly in Fogo, as awareness increases and victims find
options for a new life. Finally, BWCVI would report on the
number of participants in public awareness campaigns to
demonstrate how many people the NGO is educating at the shelter
in order to prevent future violence. Even with quarterly
programming, Post anticipates that BWCVI could easily train up
to 600 people per year in the new facility, including law
enforcement officers and school children.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND AND RELEVANCE FOR POST
--------------


16. (U) Cape Verde is an excellent partner in transparency,
democracy, and development, but needs U.S. support and
partnership to address its domestic violence challenge. The
construction of the first permanent shelter for victims of
domestic violence in Cape Verde offers a tremendous opportunity
to showcase the U.S. commitment to improved conditions for
victims in Cape Verde. This project not only provides a
high-value, tangible outcome in the form of a physical refuge,
but also establishes a sustainable platform for continued
education and behavioral change. This issue is one of Post's
highest priorities and we are fully committed to supporting and
seeing this project through. The relationships that we
currently maintain with BWCVI, as well as first-hand knowledge
of the work they are already doing, will allow us to provide
strategic oversight to the project. Post will work closely with
BWCVI to ensure that, if Cape Verde is awarded with the grant,
the funds will be put to good use and improve the lives of women

PRAIA 00000077 004.2 OF 004


both today and in the future.
BROWN