“Not a victim, but a winner” this is the slogan of “Daphne” project, implemented by Umbrella Journalists’ International Network NGO. “Daphne is a project about people who have overcome numerous hardships and challenges. People who despite the blows of the fate, despite deprivation and despair were able to withstand the difficulties and move forward,” the project description reads. With the calling to inspire women and to fight against stereotypes and discrimination, “Daphne” project became very popular on social media, reaching hundreds of thousands people.
Umbrella Journalists’ International Network NGO was founded in 2009 with the objective to adhere to the principle of high-quality, balanced, and comprehensive journalism. In the following years, the Organization had a great success, winning thirty awards. The financial support received from the European Union (EU) in the scope of the Project “COVID-19: Civil Society Resilience and Sustainability”, implemented by ERIM and Human Rights House Yerevan in Armenia, gave a chance to the Organization to continue one of its most inspiring projects “Daphne” and to amplify its impact, captivating people’s hearts and minds.
During 2022 January – 2023 February, “Daphne” has developed and published 14 stories and 13 “Asa” episodes reaching 550.000 people. Daphne tells the stories of those who are role models for many. These are people who encourage and empower the others to break stereotypes and fight for freedom, equality, and harmony. In 2022, Daphne received a special award by the Coalition to Stop Violence against Women for persistency on voicing women’s issues․ During the award ceremony Armenian Human rights defender Zara Hovhannisyan expressed her gratitude to the “Daphne” project for changing the narrative for women, where “women are portrayed as ones who were able to overcome the abuse and begin a new chapter in their lives.”
The “Daphne” Multimedia Exhibition, with a title “Not a Victim but a Winner”, took place on 9 and 10 February, 2023. The exhibition utilized a variety of multimedia elements to create an immersive and interactive experience for the audience. Motivational social video named I’m strong, I don’t give up. Strive and achieve your dream was premiered during the exhibition. Attendees expressed their appreciation for the informative and emotional experience. The EU Ambassador Andrea Wiktorin also participated in Daphne’s multimedia exhibition and delivered a speech.
“It is a pleasure to feel the strength and persistence behind every human story, depicted here. Some people keep on complaining about their life, and this makes them accept the status of a victim. It is much more difficult to find the strength to speak up, to struggle for the sake of one’s success,” mentioned the Ambassador.
COVID-19: Civil Society Resilience and Sustainability is a 48-month regional project funded by the European Union and implemented by ERIM, the Black Sea Trust, Human Rights House Foundation, Human Rights House Tbilisi and Human Rights House Yerevan. The project is working to foster the resilience and sustainability of civil society and independent media in Eastern Partnership countries, enabling them to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.