CAPE VERDE: S/GWI PROJECT PROPOSAL

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