Moving Forward

Program Objectives
Moving Forward is an intervention program for children and mothers affected by gender-based violence. It is a group intervention program designed to support children and mothers who are or have been experiencing gender-based violence. It is offered over a 10-week period (8 sessions).

Through this program, children and their mothers will be able to:

• Better understand gender-based violence;
• Learn about their rights;
• Express their experiences of gender-based violence;
• Identify and validate strategies that children and mothers have developed, and explore additional strategies for dealing with gender-based violence;
• Develop strategies for communicating together.

Eligibility Criteria
Children between the ages of 7 and 16 and mothers who live or have lived with gender-based violence are eligible to participate in the program. Participation by children and mothers must be voluntary.

How the Program Works
The Moving Forward program runs for 10 weeks, including 8 group sessions for children and 8 group sessions for mothers. All sessions are co-facilitated by two advisors. Two other sessions are held remotely (at home), with the support of an advisor. Each session is organized around a theme, with specific activities and discussion periods.

The following themes will be explored:

• Getting to know yourself
• My rights
• My emotions
• Violence
• Consequences of violence
• Mother-child communication
• Conflict and conflict resolution
• Safety
• Our future
• The end of the program.