Sibiu for equal rights! Call for candidates in the 2020 local elections.

Both the municipality and the other communities in Sibiu are constantly evolving. In this context, inequality, including gender inequality, as well as social issues, must be prioritized. More than a tourist destination, Sibiu must be a safe, dignified city in which human rights of all those who consider it their home must be respected.

COVID-19 and its economic effects have further accentuated the inequalities in our communities, thus affecting us differently depending on sex, gender, age, economic status, ethnicity, and (dis)ability. When it comes to the above-mentioned topics, especially the gender perspective, public policies should not be neutral. Both the current health and economic crisis, and the local elections are a very opportune moment for us as a community to commit to an inclusive public agenda and to make sure we leave no one behind.

The local candidates’ election programmes were diverse. However, in general, numerous social themes that disproportionately affect women and girls and other vulnerable groups have been marginalized. In 2020, we invited all candidates to reflect on five priorities that can turn Sibiu into a county of equal rights, a county in which gender violence and social inequality are tackled directly and comprehensively. A safer place for girls and women is a safer, more dignified place for everybody.

1. Zero tolerance for violence against women

• Ensure that all local authorities and services approach domestic violence, sexual abuse, and harassment cases with utmost care.
• Develop procedures to monitor protection orders for domestic violence victims.
• Develop specialized care services for victims of domestic violence, in collaboration with the civil society.
• Prioritize the setting up of a county-level integrated care service for victims of sexual violence.
• Develop agreements between local, county-level and national authorities aimed at reimbursing the expenses with beneficiaries in public and private emergency reception centres for domestic violence victims.
• Set up local counselling centres for perpetrators, with an emphasis on their taking responsibility and learning to establish non-violent relationships.
• Tackle human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable people in a systematic and comprehensive manner.

2. Housing justice

• Reconsider the evaluation criteria for social housing requests from a vulnerability perspective and include victims of domestic violence on the list of priority categories.
• Develop a housing strategy for local communities.

3. Prioritize equal opportunities and treatment in all your projects

• Make sure all your projects take into account analyses related to gender, equal opportunities and treatment.
• Support the establishment of a legal resource centre for vulnerable citizens.

4. Reproductive health and rights

• Invest in family planning practices for each community.
• Promote education for health and healthy relationships.

5. Responsible leadership

• Build and promote healthy work environments. Do not tolerate discrimination at the workplace in any shape or form.
• Engage in direct talks with members of the vulnerable communities and survivors of domestic and sexual violence about their needs.
• Build diverse teams that will not ignore social inequality, but tackle it directly in all their projects.

To find out more, visit www.aleg-romania.eu/en