The Violence Against Women (VAW) Programme provides a Traveller and Roma analysis of gender-based violence (GBV).  We map out the specific issues and barriers that Traveller and Roma women face in relation to domestic and sexual violence and develop responses to violence against Traveller and Roma women.
Programme objectives:
  • To prevent gender-based violence within Traveller and Roma communities
  • To increase Traveller and Roma women’s access to services and protections by working with service providers and policy makers
Our Work:
Support for Traveller and Roma Communities:
  • Training – we provide training for Traveller organisations to increase knowledge, skills, capacity and confidence of Traveller organisations to recognise and respond to domestic and sexual violence
  • Domestic and Sexual Violence Policy – we support Traveller organisations in the development of a domestic and sexual violence policy to guide safe, effective and appropriate responses to domestic and sexual violence
  • Information Materials – we develop accessible information materials for Traveller and Roma women on domestic and sexual violence
Working with Service Providers:
The VAW programme provides informational materials and training for service provides to promote good practice when working with Traveller and Roma women.
Influencing Policy and Legislation:
The VAW programme works towards improving policy and legislation to ensure Traveller and Roma women can access safety and protection from violence. We represent Traveller and Roma women on:
  • Monitoring Committee on the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021
  • National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020
  • Irish Observatory on Violence against Women
  • Domestic Violence Act 2018 
Raising Public Awareness
The VAW programme works to raise awareness of domestic and sexual violence by campaigning at local, regional and national levels.
  • International Women’s Day
  • International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
  • 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence Campaign
Contact the VAW Programme:
Bridget Winters, Programme Co Ordinator: bridget.winters@pavee.ie
Tel: +353 1 8780255