The educational seminars cycle on the prevention and combating of gender-based violence continues, with the implementation of the third of the four cycle seminars, in the context of the “Time to Talk” project.

On Monday (14/11) the project team and Ms. Sevasti Chatzifotiou (Democritus University of Thrace) met the students, boys and girls, of the Junior and Senior High School Classes of Paranesti, in the multi-purpose hall of the Municipality of Paranesti. Along with the 22 students and 10 teachers, we discussed gender equality, forms of violence, online violence and stereotypical perceptions that are perpetuated to this day regarding the social roles of the two genders.

Some of the questions that emerged from the discussion were the following:

• Who are LGBTI+ people, what are the needs and claims of these people?
• How does the upbringing of boys differ from that of girls and how does this relate to later career choices and the division of labor?
• How can I react when I witness an incident of gender-based violence?

Upon completion of the contribution of Ms. Chatzifotiou, the students had the chance to play the online game “Change the plot. Be a gender hero!”, and we discussed in small groups our concerns and good practices. The training ended with a strong message against gender-based violence and discrimination.

“Time to Talk” aims at promoting gender equality and safeguarding human rights. In particular, the staff of Drama Ladies Union-House of Open Hospitality and the Mental Health Sciences of the social services of the Prefecture of Drama took part in two trainings organized by the Norwegian organization “Alternative to violence” on managing people who have experienced any kind of violence, but also those who have exercised violence. Furthermore, a university research was carried out on the emerging forms of online gender-based violence in the University of West Attica, University of Peloponnese and Democritus University of Thrace.

“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