CENTRS MARTA

MARTA Centre started its activities on May 5, 2000, originating from cooperation of the Swedish Martha Association in Finland and Women Organizations of Latvia. MARTA Centre is a non-governmental organization that aims to provide support to women in Latvia – non-citizens and migrants, women with low income and unemployed women, female victims of human trafficking and of domestic violence. MARTA establishes cooperation with other nongovernmental organizations and the respective public authorities at national and international level. MARTA searches for various fundraising opportunities and thus endorses combating of poverty and female exclusion, elimination of violence against women and promotion of women rights, which is a significant part of the human rights. In 2010 MARTA started working proactively with young people aged 12-18 aiming to raise their awareness of gender equality, challenge the traditional gender stereotypes and thus reduce the risk for young people to experience violence and become victims of human trafficking. Since 2018 MARTA Centre is developing and implementing Youth Group methodology (based on primary violence prevention), which aims to build capacity in the field of working with youth (ages 12-18) with the aim to recognize and prevent psychological, physical and sexual violence towards and among children and youth. Main activities of MARTA Centre: advocacy, social services, development management, prevention and awareness raising.