Gender Equality Greece Project #48306

Irida: Safe space for 650 women at risk in Greece

by Irida Women's Center

Project Report | Jul 5, 2024
We are the winner of the Vigdis Prize!

By Lydia Siapardani | Project Leader

The Award Ceremony of the Vigdis Prize

We are profoundly honored to announce that Irida Women’s Center has been awarded the first Vigdís Prize for Women’s Empowerment by #PACE and the Government of Iceland!

Selected from among 123 candidacies across the world for this prestigious recognition that celebrates extraordinary efforts to empower women across Europe and beyond is an incredibly proud moment for us.

For over eight years, Irida has stood at the forefront of women's protection, empowerment, and support in Northern Greece. Winning this Prize is a testament to our journey, a reflection of our achievements, and a powerful call to action to continue our vision, a world where no woman is left behind.

“It is with immense gratitude and a profound sense of honor that I stand before you today to accept this Prize on behalf of Irida Women's Center, representing Ms. Chloe Kousoula, the Founder and CEO of our organization.

This recognition is a testament to our efforts and a powerful affirmation of women's collective strength and resilience everywhere. In this context, we would like to express our honest admiration towards the two fellow candidates, Feminoteka Foundation and Madame Pascuala Lopez Lopez, for their outstanding work, catalyzing a meaningful positive change in women's lives.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to the Council of Europe and the esteemed Judging Committee for recognizing our work. Your recognition fuels our passion and devotion to continue fighting and advocating for women's rights, equality, and empowerment.

We must say that this honorable recognition of our work is the outcome of the persistence, commitment, and dedication of our incredible team having unconditional faith in our vision to leave no woman behind. This team of extraordinary women is the backbone of our success. Every accomplishment, every initiative, and every step forward is a direct result of your hard work and tireless effort.

We are also beyond grateful to our donors, partners, and supporters. Your belief in our vision and your generous contributions make our work possible. Together, we are building a foundation for future generations where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality.

To the women we serve and support, we want to say that you are the true heroes of this journey. Your stories, courage, and resilience are a daily source of inspiration.

Data for 2023 in the European Union on Gender Equality, ranks Greece 24th in the European Union member states with a a score of 58 out of 100, demonstrating that there is still much to be done in this direction. Greece used to hold the last place in gender equality, with a score remaining almost static for more than a decade. Since 2020 Greece’s overall score has increased by 4.6 points, which is one of the fastest paces of progress among the Member States. We applaud the positive steps. But we do not overlook the immense shortcomings.

More than 1 in 4 women in Greece live at risk of poverty and social exclusion. 4 in 10 women experience physical, psychological, or sexual gender-based violence at least once in their adulthood. 8 femicides have taken place within the first semester of the year. Yet, the term femicide is not legally recognized within our country.

Poverty and social exclusion can be both a cause and a consequence of gender-based violence. Violence has a tremendous impact not only on the lives of women who experience it but on society as a whole. It impoverishes women, their families, communities, and nations. At the same time, gender inequality means that women are often discriminated against due to their gender, and lack access to resources, which makes them vulnerable to poverty, marginalization, and violence.

Since 2018, Irida has been operating the first and sole safe community space for all women and their children -regardless of nationality, ethnicity, and legal status- in Northern Greece. We established an innovative and unique, women-led space in which the most vulnerable women -and their children- receive individualized services to become empowered and pursue opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Our provisions and services are shaped by a holistic approach to protect, empower, and support vulnerable women to access the fundamental rights and resources they are entitled to yet deprived of, due to their gender. Through our two interlinked programs, the Protection Program and the Livelihood Program, our members are supported with casework, legal assistance with court representation, psychological and psychosocial support, skill-building, and employability services. We work to eliminate the barriers that hinder women’s overall well-being while empowering them to make informed decisions and regain ownership of their lives.

We must continue addressing and advocating for the systemic issues that contribute to poverty, social exclusion, and gender-based violence, ensuring that all women are protected, empowered, and supported to live a dignified and safe life and pursue opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Therefore, on behalf of our organization, we would like to thank you for this recognition; a reminder of how far we've come and a call to action for the work that still lies ahead. We will continue to strive for a world where every woman is empowered to achieve her full potential, a world where no woman is left behind.

Thank you once again for this incredible honor.”

The Vigdís Prize for Women’s Empowerment fuels our commitment to bridging gender gaps and fighting systemic barriers. We are dedicated to empowering women to become catalysts for change in their lives, their families, and their communities

Links:

The Award of the Vigdis Prize.

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