The project refers to the implementation of a nationwide information campaign entitled “Live Again”, in 5 cities of the country (Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa, Heraklion, Crete). It was implemented in 2011, in the framework of Action 1.8/09 “Information campaign aimed at raising public awareness and informing women citizens of third countries regarding the treatment of trafficking, domestic violence and sexual harassment cases”. It was co-financed by the European Integration Fund, in particular: 75% from Community funds and 25% from national funds.
The coordinating organisation was the Diotima Centre, which, apart from coordinating the Action Plan, was responsible for the development of the communication strategy and the production of all the publications, as well as the organisation of the activities in Athens (two-day events, workshop, awareness-raising seminars). Co-organisers were: a) ANTIGONΕ – Information and Documentation Centre on racism, ecology, peace and non-violence, b) Association for Social Exclusion and Mental Health (E.K.A.Ps.Y.), c) “ANTHROPOMANIA” – Voluntary humanitarian action, d) Family Education and Child Care Centre “PLATO”, e) Member’s association of women’s organisations of Heraklion and Heraklion Regional Unit.
Multilevel approach
One of the most basic and widespread forms of insult of women’s entity and personality internationally, is the violence against them, both within and outside the family environment, which is the most dominant and dramatic manifestation of gender power relations.
Expressions of violence against women are: domestic violence, which is mainly perpetrated by husbands/partners, but also by the father or other persons in the family environment, taking various forms (verbal – psychological violence, restriction of social contacts, economic deprivation, light or heavy physical and sexual abuse), violence committed mainly in the workplace, but not exclusively, in the form of sexual harassment, but also any form of psychological coercion based on gender (forced prostitution, violence in public places, etc.).
The largest share of active oppression is experienced by economic migrant and political refugee women, who, according to the UN (Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, 1993) are among the groups of women at highest risk of violence.
They are, thus, a particularly vulnerable group of women, according to some approaches, not only because of their race and gender, but also because they cross borders (geographical, economic, social, gender, class, etc.) and become victims of sexual exploitation, in the context of a widespread phenomenon of sexual exploitation and prostitution of women, many of whom leave their country in the expectation of a better life for themselves and their families.
Although these three forms of gender-based violence against migrant women (domestic violence, sexual harassment, trafficking) differ in their specific characteristics and in their effects, it is important to interconnect them.
Such an approach contributes to understand the variations of gender-based violence, to deepen our knowledge on its dimensions and consequences, and to build a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to preventing and responding to it. In this respect, addressing all three forms of violence against migrant women in an integrated way in the context of the information campaign for raising public awareness and informing migrant women, brings innovative elements to the intervention and opens up new dimensions to the link between gender with violence and migration.
Purpose
Since both domestic violence and sexual harassment in the workplace differ significantly between native and migrant women, because the right to a life free from violence belongs equally to native and migrant women, the campaign promotes awareness on these issues as an integral part (common component) of a gender equality policy and an immigration policy that supports integration into Greek society and guarantees equal rights for all its citizens, men and women.
Migrant women face a number of economic, legal, religious, social and psychological restrictions that create additional dependencies and the inability to defend themselves and their children in cases of violence in the migrant family.
Similarly, women working in highly dependent jobs, especially those in the domestic sector, are often exposed to sexual harassment at work, and are less able to protect their rights, often resorting to the only solution available to them, to resign, with multiple consequences.
Migrant women who have been victims of forced prostitution despite the protection and rights provided by law are often caught in a web of multiple coercions that deprive them of the possibility to exercise their right to protect and support themselves.
In this context, the campaign’s approach is multi-levelled and attempts to highlight both the causes of violence and its consequences, and to raise awareness about the need to change attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate such phenomena.
Its purpose is: to demonstrate that changing attitudes and stereotypes has multiple benefits in terms of social and economic well-being, but also in terms of cultural upgrading; to highlight the policies and practices that exist and are needed to address violence at a legal, institutional and practical level; to mobilise multiple social and political subjects. In this context, prevention and response are central aspects in the campaign.
It is particularly important to raise public awareness about the issues of forced prostitution of migrant women, the terms and conditions, the effects and consequences for these women and for the society as a whole.
A society that must be aware of the true dimensions of the problem, beyond stereotypical perceptions ranging between pity and revulsion. The increase in forms of prostitution, which is part of an ever-growing sex industry, is a sign of the times and calls for everyone to be alert in order to combat it.
The objectives
The specific objectives of the information campaign are:
- to raise awareness and convince public consciousness that violence against women is a violation of their human rights, while encouraging all citizens to oppose and condemn it
- to inform about the measures (legislative, institutional, etc.) taken by the Greek state, the European Union and the Council of Europe in the field of combating domestic violence and sexual harassment, as well as the fight against sexual exploitation of migrant women (trafficking)
- to encourage and empower women themselves to become aware of their rights and to be informed of the options available to them, at local level, for accessing assistance and support services
- to mobilise a wide range of civil society organisations and NGOs which, in one way or another, can constitute both a social protection network for victims as well as actors/channels for joint action in the field of prevention
- to encourage all those involved in pursuing social policy and opinion formers (information professionals) to highlight these issues and to make political commitments to address them in their area of responsibility
- to raise awareness among specific professional groups involved in both the response (repression) to the phenomenon of violence and trafficking, and in the assistance/support of victims, in the direction of recognizing the specific needs of victims, in order to maximize the effectiveness of their interventions
- to activate and highlight the importance of the role of migrant women themselves in raising awareness within migrant communities and collectives, through their active involvement throughout the duration and the stages of the action’s implementation.
The campaign
The coordinated information campaign took place in 5 cities (Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa, Patras and Heraklion, Crete) with the creation of open information points (info-kiosks) at central locations in the cities. The kiosks were set up for two days (June 2011) and were a pole for the organisation of events such as: information and counselling for migrant women, discussions on violence issues, documentary screenings, drama games for children and musical events.
A number of complementary activities were also implemented:
- Workshops with the participation of representatives of local government, the State, institutions and NGOs active in the field
- Awareness-raising seminars with groups of professionals dealing with the phenomenon and supporting/integrating victims
- Organisation of information and awareness-raising meetings with migrant communities
- Organisation of awareness-raising meetings and discussions with representatives of trade unions on sexual harassment in the workplace
- Implementation of information interventions in the form of street work (outreach) in places and spots in the city where migrants gather or pass through
Deliverables
- flyers (only in Greek)
Download PDF
Download PDF
Download PDF
Download PDF
- tv spot (only in Greek)
