Every 10 minutes, a woman is killed by a partner or a family member. Violence against women is the most pervasive breach of human rights worldwide, affecting almost one in three women. The most extreme manifestation of this violence – femicide – claimed the lives of at least 51,100 women in 2023. These numbers reveal that the systems and structures meant to protect women and girls are failing.
Women fleeing conflict, war, persecution or human rights violations are even more vulnerable to gender-based violence. Today, over 60 million forcibly displaced and stateless women and girls are at particular risk of gender-based violence during displacement. They face a 20% higher risk of intimate partner violence, while conflict-related sexual violence was reported to have surged by 50% in 2023 alone. Displacement can also increase tension within families, multiply triggers of abuse and confine women and girls to shelters with their abusers.
This year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign, under the theme “Every 10 Minutes, a woman is killed. #NoExcuse. UNiTE to End Violence against Women”, will be launched on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and will run until 10 December, International Human Rights Day. The campaign calls for urgent action, an end to impunity and funding to address the root causes of violence and support women’s rights movements, including those led by refugee women.
In Greece, UNHCR is joining forces with national authorities, municipalities, civil society, partners, refugees and asylum-seekers, with a view to prevent, mitigate and respond to gender-based violence, to advocate for actions and solutions and raise awareness through events and discussions.
The colour orange remains a key UN symbol for unifying global activities and drawing attention to the campaign’s message. It represents hope for a brighter future, free from violence against women and girls.
Programme of public events in Greece:
- Athens: 24 November: Public reading and discussion with refugee communities in the framework of the festival “Orange Week Athens” held by the Municipality of Athens.
- Chios: 24 November: Race in cooperation with Chios Running Association | 29 November: Screening of the film “C’è ancora domani” by Paola Cortelessi in cooperation with Chios Cinema Club.
- Evros: 19 & 20 November: Training on gender-based violence for representatives of authorities, service providers and civil society by UNHCR and the General Secretariat for Equality and Human Rights of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family Affairs with the support of Orestiada Municipality.
- Kos: 5 December: Screening of the film “She said” by Maria Schrader.
- Lesvos: 27 November: Theatre, music performances and discussion organized by Mytilene Municipality in cooperation with UNHCR, the Municipal Equality Committee, the Research Centre for Equality of Mytilene, the University of the Aegean, the Union of Theatrical-Cultural Associations of Lesvos “Thesis” and Mytilene’s Music School. 29 November: Screening of the film “C’è ancora domani” by Paola Cortelessi in cooperation with Mytilene Municipality. 10 December – Women’s empowerment and awareness raising event by Diotima Centre and the Migrants’ Integration Center (KEM) of Mytilene Municipality.
- Samos: 1 December: Theatre performance “My Name Is” staged by locals and refugees under the coordination of “Omikron” Theatre Group and screening of the film “C’è ancora domani” by Paola Cortelessi.
- Τhessaloniki: 28 November: Discussion on prevention and empowerment with refugee women in cooperation with Diotima Centre.
In addition to the above events, UNHCR, in cooperation with local authorities, partners and refugee-led organizations, will run across the country a series of participatory awareness sessions, screenings, art workshops and focus group discussions with refugees and asylum-seekers in reception centres and urban areas across the country. All events are free to all.
- Refugees and asylum-seekers in Greece who are exposed to sexual, physical or psychological violence may find useful information and helplines at UNHCR’s HELP platform here.
- Diotima Centre, in cooperation with UNHCR, provides psychosocial and legal aid services in Athens and Thessaloniki to forcibly displaced people who have suffered gender-based violence (women, men, and LGBTQI+ individuals). See more here.
