Meeting With students of the Sociology Department at the Faculty of Social Sciences

DEOP held a meeting with the students of the Sociology Department, Faculty of Social Sciences (University of Tirana) to discuss the educational and psychological aspects of the topic: “Violence is not a matter of culture rather it is a matter of crime.” The meeting was held as part of the DEOP activities in implementing Law no. 9669, date 18.12.2008, “On measures against domestic violence” and the National Strategy on Gender Equality and against Domestic Violence, in which it is emphasised, “Educating children and young people and the society in general in such a way they are aware that domestic violence is a crime and is unacceptable, enabling them to make well-informed choices.”
The meeting was held also in implementation of the “Agreement of Co-operation for implementing Law no. 9669, dated 18.12.2008 (amended) between MoLSAEO, MoES, MoI, MoJ, and MoH,” whose Article 7, referring to the Ministry of Education obligations, specifies:
“The Ministry of Education and Science, as the authorised line authority for implementing Law no 9669, dated 18.12.2006, ‘On measures against domestic violence’ (amended), through its structures is committed to make sure that in the Faculty of Social Sciences and in all the Faculties of Education, both public and private, the study of domestic violence becomes part of their curricula, by means of credits or the so-called lecture series.”
The goal of the meeting was to raise the students’ awareness on the consequences of domestic violence that are a cause of concern for the Albanian government and society, under the belief that awareness-raising is one of the most efficient work methods in the joint efforts for eradication of domestic violence.
The study methodology aimed at involving the students not only as objects of the
subject-matter, but also as subject of the same, considering that today’s students are tomorrow’s sociologists, therefore, violence and the issues related to it will be at the centre of their work.
In the ensuing debate, the students suggested that activities or meetings of this kind should be held more often, especially in view of their awareness-raising and informing effect.
In conclusion, the students received several DEOP publications, such as the DEOP newsletters, “Protect yourself from domestic violence” leaflets and posters, “How to protect ourselves from domestic violence” handbooks based on the Law no. 9669, dated 18.12.2006, and the “Law on gender equality”.