The educational seminars on gender-based violence were completed.

Ms. Sevasti Chatzifotiou, University Professor, was the presenter.

In the context of the “Time to Talk” project of the Drama Ladies Union-House of Open Hospitality,

176 students of Senior High Schools and Professional Training Institutes attended the training seminars organized by Drama Ladies Union-House of Open Hospitality in the context of the “Time to Talk” project of Active Citizens Fund.

Students from the four General Senior High Schools of Drama, the Music School, the 1st and 2nd Vocational School and the Public Professional Training Institute participated, over a period of two months, in the educational seminar called “Awareness and information for the prevention of gender-based violence” with Ms. Sevasti Chatzifotiou, Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work of Democritus University of Thrace as presenter.

In the seminars, they were informed about the work and actions of the Drama Ladies Union-House of Open Hospitality, they discussed with Ms. Chatzifotiou about the forms of gender-based violence and the ways of managing incidents of violence, whereas special emphasis was given on the role of the witness of a gender-based violence incident, on the steps he/she must follow and the way he/she must react. Moreover, the website of the project, timetotalk.gr and the online game “Change the plot: Be a gender hero”. was presented. Also, on the occasion of the website, online forms of sexual violence were discussed, such as revenge porn, sexting, etc. The school visits were completed with a tour at the House of Open Hospitality and the Food Bank.

In June 2022, the implementation of the second training of mental health professionals of the Prefecture Drama by the Norwegian organization “Alternative to Violence” is scheduled, regarding the provision of advisory services to abusers of gender-based violence. The first one, in April 2022, was particularly successful.

In the context of the project, the Helpline for Abused Women and Children +30 25210 58888, operating 8hours a day and having nationwide coverage, continues to receive calls, which are handled by the specially trained project staff.

“Time to Talk” is implemented in the context of the Active citizens fund program, with Drama Ladies Union-House of Open Hospitality as implementation body. The €13.5 million Active Citizens Fund program is funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and is part of the European Economic Area (EEA) financial mechanism for the period 2014 – 2021, known as EEA Grants. The program aims at fortifying and strengthening the sustainability of civil society and at highlighting its role in promoting democratic processes, strengthening citizens’ participation in society and defending human rights. The management of the grant of the Active Citizens Fund program for Greece has been jointly undertaken by the Bodossaki Foundation and SolidarityNow. For more information: www.activecitizensfund.gr

PRESS OFFICE OF THE DRAMA LADIES UNION-HOUSE OF OPEN HOSPITALITY