La Strada Program for prevention of trafficking in women in Central and Eastern Europe

National co-ordinator for La Strada-Bulgaria: Nadia Kozhouharova

"La Strada" Programme for the prevention of trafficking in women in Central and Eastern Europe is an international project financed by the European Union and the Dutch Government. It has been implemented in Bulgaria by "Animus Association" Foundation since 1998.

The programme has existed for more than six years and is implemented simultaneously in Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Holland. These are the countries most affected by the phenomenon of trafficking. Each country develops activities in three fields:

Press and lobby campaign
It aims at universal recognition that trafficking violates the human rights of women; establishing trafficking as one of the most deplorable crimes; obtaining its official condemnation by the governments of the countries involved with "La Strada" programme; establishing a legal basis for the criminalisation of trafficking in women; and providing for the protection of victims in accordance with modern European legislation.

Prevention campaign
Its aim is to provide information to young women about the risk of falling prey to traffickers, and to empower them to take care of themselves and ensure the recognition of their human rights. The prevention campaign also works towards changing widespread discrimination against, and blaming of, survivors, by informing society about the nature of trafficking and the experiences of the survivors.

Social assistance and victim support
It is aimed at providing direct support for women survivors of trafficking. It offers networks of services and organisations to assist survivors.

LA STRADA" PROGRAMME - BULGARIA (1998 - 2001)