Within the framework of the ERASMUS+ HE4Her project, each partner country conducted a pilot of the newly developed educational program with a group of women who have involvement with the criminal justice systems.
A pilot project is a small-scale test designed to assess how a new approach works in practice in a given environment and to gather feedback for improvement. This pilot phase provided valuable insights from both participants and professionals, which will help refine the final version of the program.
The pilot activity in Romania took place within the Gherla Penitentiary and was carried out with 3 groups of detainees in total number of 35 who completed the program, the feedback received was positive regarding the utility of the program and the implementation method starting from the video and ending with the discussions.
Considering the need to answer some more personalized questions, we organized an extra module that added value to the information, namely, 4 question and answer sessions with a gynecologist, a dermatologist, a make-up specialist and a hair stylist as a bonus. We also have feedback from a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology who appreciated the usefulness and the fact that valuable and essential information for women's health is provided through the program.
The HE4Her pilot program was implemented in Greece under the responsibility of the NGO Freedom Gate Greece. It was conducted at the women’s prison in Eleonas of Thebes, with coordination provided by Emmanouela Kostaki, a forensic and legal psychologist, and Anna Salomidou, a criminologist. Sixteen women were included as participants, and high levels of engagement were observed throughout the sessions. Questions were asked, personal experiences were shared, and trust was gradually built with the coordinators. Positive and optimistic feedback was given, and a desire for the program’s extension was expressed by the participants.
The Turkish Association of Social Workers (TASW), one of the He4Her project partners, has successfully completed two pilot implementations of our “Empowerment Through Knowledge: Women’s Health and Health Literacy” training program. In these pilots, we engaged 26 women from the project’s target group and delivered our four core modules. The sessions - enriched with interactive videos, case studies, and group discussions - included Understanding the Female Body, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Prevention Methods, and Health Literacy. Thanks to our participant-centred approach, both groups experienced effective learning and active engagement throughout.
Throughout the program, we observed that women not only deepened their understanding of essential health concepts but also gained confidence in making health-related decisions. The power of group dynamics facilitated knowledge sharing and mutual support, creating a truly empowering environment - both physiologically and psychosocially. As project partners, we will build on these positive outcomes by further enriching our training materials and reaching even broader audiences. We invite you to join us in strengthening women’s health literacy and making a real difference.
Silta-Valmennusyhdistys, the Finnish partner in the Erasmus+ HE4Her project, recently piloted a women’s health and well-being group. The training combined practical workshops, discussions, and informative sessions to support body awareness and health literacy. Participants explored topics like hormonal cycles, contraception, STIs, and pelvic health in a safe and open environment.
The interactive approach helped build confidence, encouraged sharing, and made it easier to discuss sensitive issues. The positive experience from this pilot provides a strong basis for expanding the program and reaching more women across Europe.
The 3rd Project Meeting of the ERASMUS+ HE4Her - Health Empowerment For Women involved with The Criminal Justice System project was held in Athens Greece the second and third day of April 2025 and it was hosted by Freedom Gate Greece.
During the project meeting, we discussed the remaining activities and finalised the dates of the mobility to Finland. The details of the pilot projects and their implementation were reviewed.
The report examines women's health literacy and preventive health behaviors in Romania, Greece, and Turkey. It focuses on women involved with the criminal justice system and assesses their knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases as well as their overall health literacy. The findings reveal differences between the countries in access to and understanding of health information, which may influence the planning and targeting of health promotion efforts.
The author is Dr. Mugur Geana from the Center for Excellence in Health Communication to Underserved Populations, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Kansas USA.
Data was collected on samples that differed in the number of participants, their demographics, and the type of CLSI involvement (incarcerated or in liberty).
During the 2-days training event, 3 specialists from each partner who work with women involved with the Criminal Justice System, were familiarised with the new educational content and its application methodology. The developed gender-specific health education program aims to increase health literacy and empower women involved in the Criminal Justice System through addressing the prevention mainly of transmissible diseases in detention and after release.
The program addresses 4 topics resulting from the needs analysis carried out by applying 300 questionnaires in the partner countries.
HE4Her project’s dissemination activity at the "Good practices - elements from the theory and practice of the case law of the judge supervising deprivation of liberty" meeting which was held in Cluj-Napoca Romania on 24th of November 2024.
The purpose of the meeting was to develop inter-institutional collaboration to streamline the application of legal provisions regarding persons deprived of their liberty.
The event was attended by Representatives of the National Penitentiary Administration, Directors of the Oradea, Dej, Baia Mare, Satu Mare and Bistrita penitentiaries, the Supervising judges from the aforementioned penitentiaries and the President of the Cluj Court of Appeal and Judges from the Cluj-Napoca Court of Appeal.
The activity was opened by the director of Gherla Penitentiary Mr. Aldea Razvan who opened the event by presenting the HE4Her project and the results obtained so far.
Projects that are currently being piloted and that will later be implemented at the national level were presented. At the end of the activity, the judges present mentioned the good collaboration they have with the prison management in terms of ensuring the act of justice.
The event was concluded by the director of Gherla Penitentiary who thanked the participants and offered them promotional materials created within the HE4Her project.
The ERASMUS+ HE4Her project’s second working group was held 3-4.10.2024 with participation of specialists from each partner organisation who are involved in health education in their countries. The event was hosted by Sosyal Hizmet Uzmanlari Dernegi (Turkish Association of Social Workers) and held at the Karanfil Sk. Zafir Work Center in Ankara, Türkiye.
The main objective of the working group was to outline the content and structure of the new education program to promote the health literacy skills of women who are involved with the criminal justice systems.
The topics which have been chosen for the the new education program are:
• The female body
• What are STDs?
• Preventive measures
• Health literacy
These topics were chosen based on the needs of women who are involved with the criminal justice systems and findings from the survey on health literacy conducted by Dr. Mugur Geana from the Center for Excellence in Health Communication to Underserved Populations - University of Kansas School of Journalism and Mass Communications CEHCUP USA.
The participants of the working group in the continuation, worked together on the above topics. It had been decided that the content of the educational program should be in the format of animations / videos.The next activity of staff training will take place 28 - 29 January 2025 in Athens Greece.
The HE4Her project’s 2nd Project Meeting was held 12th and 13th of September 2024 in Ankara Turkey.
The purpose of this meeting was to analyse the implementation calendar, to discuss the upcoming interim report and activities, and to find the best improvement solutions for the project.
On second day focus was given on the Needs Analysis "Findings from the survey on health literacy, STD knowledge, and preventive behaviour with incarcerated women in Romania, Greece, and Türkiye" and its author Dr. Mugur Geana from the Center for Excellence in Health Communication to Underserved Populations - University of Kansas School of Journalism and Mass Communications CEHCUP USA presented the conclusions of the survey, that were behind the choice of topics on which the new educational materials will be developed in the working group that will take place on the 3rd and 4th of October in Ankara Turkey.
The ERASMUS+ HE4Her project’s first working group was held in Timișoara Romania 3-4.6.2024 with participants from each partner organisation. The event was hosted by CPIP CENTRUL PENTRU PROMOVAREA ÎNVĂȚĂRII PERMANENTE TIMIȘOARA ASOCIAȚIA and held at the Atlas Hotel in the centre of Timișoara town.
Participants in this face-to-face working group were specialists who are involved in health education in their countries. During the event, the participating specialists analysed the identified needs and the inventory of existing programs and started the creation of the new educational content for health in digital format.
The next working group will be held in October in Turkey.
The 1st Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) was held in the Gherla Prison in Romania on the 11th and 12th of January 2024. Representatives from all partner organizations took part in the first meeting, where the specific features and procedures concerning the project were handled in good cooperation. Details of the capacity building mobility were also finalized.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.