Our story

The History of MARTA Centre: From a Vision to a Movement

It all began as a collaborative project with the Martha Association of Finland (Finland’s Swedish Women’s Association). Founders Iluta Lāce, Dita Lāce, and other like-minded women did not want the initiative to remain just a project; they wanted to make it a daily reality where women could become successful in business, politics, and careers—to make them visible. They actively visited regions, led computer and language courses, organized the first conference, "Woman Meets Woman," and sought resources to build a sustainable women's rights advocacy organization. Gradually, it became clear that business and politics were relatively distant dreams if a woman lacked the means to ensure her own safety, integrity, and freedom. Thus, in 2002, a rehabilitation program for victims of human trafficking was born.

In 2003, the Latvian Women’s NGO Cooperation Network was launched, and Iluta Lāce became the first woman from Eastern Europe to be elected Vice President of the European Women’s Lobby. This allowed Latvian legislation to start aligning with European Union norms, addressing issues such as sexual harassment and other critical problems.

In 2004, the "Woman and Power" conference was created to empower and inspire women in politics. Parallel to this, female politicians were provided with opportunities to acquire useful leadership skills. Discussions held before every election highlighted female candidates and their professionalism. The image of MARTA representatives proudly walking after the conference in T-shirts emblazoned with "Vote for a Woman," while a delegation of men parted to make way for them, remains legendary.

Through various international projects and relentless efforts, MARTA ensured that not only diverse interests but also multiple Latvian institutions met. They understood that a unified solution could only be reached at a common negotiating table. MARTA was instrumental in fostering the understanding that human rights, safety, and freedom are the shared responsibility of the Ministry of the Interior, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, and other state institutions.

In 2006, support for adult female victims of violence began—initially through legal aid, and by 2010, as a full-fledged rehabilitation program. This could not have happened without the significant legislative changes MARTA advocated for. Did they come easily? Certainly not. But MARTA does not take the easy path; MARTA stands for justice. To achieve justice, one must sometimes be bold. Consequently, provocative and "rebellious" campaigns were carried out alongside the Ombudsman to address not only the consequences but the root cause: the purchase of sex. And many things changed in Latvia—both externally and internally.

Then came the infamous 2008, the year of the global financial crisis. MARTA had no funds, and every month, the leadership had to convince employees to stay for just one more month. Naturally, some left, but others who stayed are still working at the centre today. That is the true spirit of MARTA. Even as everything seemed to be falling apart, MARTA’s leadership found a "button" to hold onto—a single green button. This proved to be far more real and successful than any chimney sweep’s luck. To attract donations, they had to work tirelessly with both local and international audiences.

And as often happens in our culture—a song came to the rescue. This marked the beginning of MARTA’s "Singing Revolution," or fundraising marathon. Using only their voices—because the voice of women, justice, and humanity cannot be suppressed—this approach even earned MARTA the "Robin Hood" award for fundraising. However, the true prize back then was meeting a new supporter and friend, Jukka, who organized a concert tour across Finland. Even though Iluta Lāce had to sing in the marketplace in the freezing winter during the final months of her pregnancy, there was a sense that something truly valuable was being born.

Even greater emotional resilience was required for the litigation against the state, which lasted from 2009 to 2015. Yet, it proved worth every worry and effort. By standing firm and repeatedly renewing their claims and objections, MARTA ensured that Latvia—compared to other countries—implemented a very favorable rehabilitation program for victims of human trafficking. Simultaneously, tireless work continued across various channels to ensure the state allocated funds for the rehabilitation of adult victims of domestic violence as well.

In 2010, prevention programs were purposefully established to provide youth with a safe environment to find answers to their questions and to strengthen their ability to be emotionally intelligent individuals who can recognize discrimination and violence.

In 2014, when "CAP International" was established to fight sexual exploitation and advocate for the criminalization of sex buyers, MARTA was present as a full member. At the time, Latvia was one of the first countries involved. What once seemed impossible or unprecedented is now taken for granted. Nevertheless, there were many opponents—especially regarding gender discrimination. Everyone had an opinion, but few had the knowledge.