36,1% of women in Cyprus, according to the results of a pan-European survey, have experienced physical violence, threats and/or sexual violence, either from their partner or another person, according to a statement by the NGO Support Center.
The survey was carried out jointly by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) and the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), the Center notes.
He also adds that the Council of Europe estimates that one in five children in Europe falls victim to some form of sexual violence, while there are multiple and increasing forms of child violence.
The Center announced today initiatives aimed at the legal recognition of femicide, addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the workplace, and providing substantive support and empowerment to older women.
According to the announcement, they concern actions that support children living in institutional structures in their preparation for an autonomous life and empowering children and young people to prevent youth violence.
These are just some of the 29 actions that will be implemented within the framework of the European PREVENT program, with a total budget of €2,3 million, it is reported.
Specifically, 24 projects in Greece and 5 in Cyprus will be funded in the coming period, with each project receiving funding of up to €60.000. PREVENT is coordinated by the Bodossakis Foundation (Greece) in partnership with the NGO Support Center (Cyprus).
The PREVENT Programme is co-funded by the European Union, through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV)* 2023-DAPHNE programme, the Bodossaki Foundation and the NGO Support Centre. It aims to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children, by supporting Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) active in these sectors in Greece and Cyprus, as well as by strengthening their knowledge, capacities and sustainability.
According to the announcement, the selected projects respond to a wide range of needs and demonstrate the multifaceted social impact of the program: from providing legal and psychosocial support to children and adults who have experienced gender-based violence, to formulating policy recommendations to promote effective interventions.
At the same time, they include the implementation of education and awareness-raising actions, the creation of day centers for confidential support for victims and witnesses of gender-based violence, as well as a study to record violence against children. All organizations selected to implement actions that include direct contact with children have a child protection policy, which was a prerequisite when submitting the application, it is noted.
In fact, with the aim of supporting organizations in writing proposals during the application submission period, the Bodossaki Foundation and the NGO Support Center organized informational activities and workshops in cities in Greece and Cyprus, which also included thematic training on drafting a child protection policy, it is added.
According to the announcement, the need for funding and support for projects to prevent and combat gender-based violence is imperative.
As revealed by a pan-European survey on violence against women and gender stereotypes, which was carried out jointly by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) and the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), the data for Cyprus are particularly worrying, it is noted.
According to the survey results, 36,1% of women in Cyprus have experienced physical violence, threats and/or sexual violence, either by their partner or another person, during their lifetime. This percentage exceeds the EU average of 30,7%, it is reported.
At the same time, the Council of Europe estimates that 1 in 5 children in Europe falls victim to some form of sexual violence, while there are multiple and increasing forms of child violence, such as physical violence, abuse or neglect, bullying, youth, domestic, sexual and emotional or psychological violence, it added.
More information about the projects and Civil Society Organizations (CSOOs) that will receive a grant can be found at the following link: https://www.bodossaki.gr/project-prevent/
Source: KYPE
