They were born in response to various needs, such as distributing humanitarian aid. The separate NGOs, however, were keen to retain their own voice. So although there was indeed some willingness to work together, any coalition had to be flexible. Another global issue is that of violence against women. Urszula Nowakowska traces its dimensions in Poland, pointing out how it is still not sufficiently acknowledged as a serious social problem.
Victims have limited access to psychological counselling and legal help.
Research findings show that divorced women more readily admit to having been abused, but some women still keep it secret. Violence occurs more frequently in rural villages and in low-income families, but the variable of education does not appear to make a difference. Nowakowska also looks at legal developments, pornography, rape, trafficking in women and sexual harassment. Turning to Bulgaria, Tatyana Kotzeva focuses on images of women. She contends that this was an android image of femininity.