Strengthening Emotional Coping Skills

This project strengthens the emotional coping skills of children and adolescents in the face of violence, with a focus on gender-based violence and enhances the support networks of emotional and community caregivers to facilitate the emotional recovery of children and adolescents. Therefore, the project contributes to improved mental health as a strategy for preventing gender-based violence.

This project works very closely with 100 participants from the local community, including children, adolescents, caregivers, and community leaders. It builds on previous initiatives by continuing to work with young people aged 10 to 17 who have already been part of earlier processes. The project also engages emotional caregivers, such as parents, grandparents, and close relatives, many of whom are homemakers facing economic hardship, low levels of formal education, and challenging family situations. In addition, community leaders, mostly women involved in local organizing, are taking part. These leaders have already begun strengthening their self-esteem and leadership skills through earlier training and are now deepening their role as change-makers in their communities.

The project is implemented in a context of growing insecurity, high unemployment, migration, and social fragmentation. Many families face economic hardship, limited access to education and health services, and persistent gender-based violence. These conditions have increased emotional stress and reduced the capacity of families and communities to support children and adolescents. Despite these risks, Asociación Civil Proyecto Mujer MARY BARREDA remains firmly committed to advancing this initiative and strengthening resilience among participants.This project responds to the urgent need for children and adolescents to grow up in safe and supportive environments that promote emotional well-being and life paths free from violence. By creating spaces for emotional recovery, it fosters healthier social integration and encourages young people to build more equitable and constructive relationships, ultimately contributing to community and national development.

• The project includes a set of activities, beginning with assessing the emotional impact of violence on participating children and adolescents, followed by facilitated emotional recovery sessions tailored to their needs. Recreational spaces will be organized to encourage healing through play and social interaction. Home visits will be conducted to provide personalized support.
• A social communication campaign will also be launched, focusing on emotional recovery and community awareness. For emotional caregivers, the project offers emotional recovery sessions, recreational spaces, and group sessions to strengthen their capacity to support children and adolescents.
• Community leaders will participate in self-care sessions and training processes aimed at deepening their skills in areas such as contingency planning, case tracking, violence response models, and solution-focused approaches. Similarly, four capacity-building sessions will be provided to community health brigadiers, covering the same key themes, with two sessions held per semester.