Newsroom
A recent European survey has revealed alarming figures about gender-based violence in Cyprus, showing that 36.1% of women have experienced physical violence, threats, or sexual violence, either from a partner or another individual. The survey, conducted by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), and Eurostat, sheds light on the widespread issue across the continent.
In addition to these distressing numbers, the Council of Europe estimates that one in five children in Europe falls victim to some form of sexual violence. This highlights the increasing forms of abuse, particularly toward vulnerable groups like children.
In response to these findings, the NGO Support Center has announced new initiatives aimed at tackling these critical issues. The projects, under the European PREVENT program, focus on a wide array of urgent matters, including the legal recognition of femicide, addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence in workplaces, and providing much-needed support for older women.
In Cyprus, five local projects will be funded, with each receiving up to €60,000. These projects, alongside 24 others in Greece, will receive funding from the €2.3 million budget for the PREVENT program. The initiative, coordinated by the Bodossaki Foundation in Greece, aims to provide legal and psycho-social support to both children and adults who have experienced gender-based violence. It also includes educational activities, awareness campaigns, and the creation of day centers for confidential support.
One of the key objectives is to equip children in institutional care with the skills needed to live independently, while also empowering youth to prevent violence in their communities. Importantly, all selected organizations will have child protection policies in place, ensuring the safety of minors involved in these projects.
The urgent need for support and funding for such projects in Cyprus is clear. The NGO Support Center emphasized that the data on gender-based violence in Cyprus is particularly concerning, making these initiatives even more crucial in addressing the gaps in legal support, education, and overall societal awareness.
The NGO Support Center and the Bodossaki Foundation have already taken steps to support organizations with the application process, offering workshops and training sessions on child protection policies. These measures aim to strengthen the response to gender-based violence, providing a safer and more supportive environment for vulnerable populations in Cyprus and beyond.