Irida: Safe space for 650 women at risk in Greece

Dear friends,

At Irida, supporting women experiencing violence goes hand in hand with addressing the barriers that prevent them from accessing safety and justice. Today, we are pleased to share our SheChange White Paper, which brings together community research, our frontline experience, and practical recommendations to strengthen the prevention of and response to gender-based violence in Thessaloniki and Greece.

The White Paper was developed as part of SheChange: Combating Gender-Based Violence in Thessaloniki, a project combining direct protection services, public awareness, and community participation. Through the project, approximately 300 women received support, including case management, psychological support, legal assistance, and court representation. Alongside these services, our #SheChangeSpeak campaign raised awareness of often overlooked forms of violence, while a network of 50 local businesses trained as Safe Spots offered discreet places to seek initial guidance and connect with specialized services.

The White Paper draws on an anonymous survey completed by 155 people, most of them young women.  Among respondents, 94.8% reported changing their route because of fear, while 83.9% reported at least one indicator of controlling behavior or psychological abuse in a current or former relationship. These findings reflect the experiences of those who participated and cannot be generalized to the wider population. They nevertheless provide valuable insight into how fear, harassment, and control can shape everyday life, affecting where people go, how they move through their city, and how safe they feel in their relationships.

Drawing on this evidence and our experience supporting women, the White Paper sets out recommendations for public authorities, frontline services, civil society organizations, and local businesses. These include stronger coordination between services, training to recognize and respond appropriately to violence, investment in community prevention, and stable funding for specialized support. It also highlights the need to address the additional barriers faced by refugee and migrant women, women with disabilities, and others whose access to protection may be limited by language, poverty, isolation, or exclusion.

For Irida, this publication provides a basis for advocating for policies and services that respond to women’s lived experiences. Our aim is to use this knowledge to strengthen cooperation, improve access to support, and encourage earlier recognition of violence before it escalates.

Moving forward, we hope this White Paper will encourage meaningful dialogue and stronger cooperation to prevent violence and improve access to protection. As we take this work forward, we will continue to bring women’s experiences into these conversations and keep you updated on our progress.

Thank you for being part of Irida’s community and for standing alongside the women we serve. Your trust and generosity mean a great deal to our team and help sustain the care, support, and advocacy at the heart of our work. We are grateful to have you with us as we continue working toward a future where no woman is left behind.

With warm wishes,
Lydia and the Irida team 

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SheChange was implemented by Irida Women’s Center within the framework of “Amplifying the Voices and Impact of Women’s Organizations and Addressing Gender-Based Violence in South and Eastern Europe” (project no. 101137708), funded by the European Union under CERV-2023-DAPHNE.

• The White Paper (PDF)