Preventing violence against women is this year's International Women's Day theme to be held on March 8. Violence is not only a violation of human rights, but it also amounts to gender-based discrimination that denies women the opportunity to fully participate in economic, social, political and cultural life. 

The Office of the European Parliament in Greece, in cooperation with the Representation of the EU Commission in Greece, and the General Secretariat of Equality are hosting an event entitled "Preventing Violence against Women - a challenge for all" on March 7, to discuss how to tackle violence against women and achieve true gender equality.

Greece ranks 20th (25%), below the EU average (33%) in physical or sexual violence by a partner or a non-partner from the age of 15. It also ranks 22nd (25%) below the EU average (35%) regarding physical, sexual or psychological violence by an adult, before the age of 15.It is noteworthy that women in Greece have recorded the highest emotional response to abuse, with 75% of the respondents declaring "angry" towards abuse – well above the EU average (61%).

See also: Press briefing of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), General Secretariat for Gender Equality (Press Release) Europe’s urgent need for a growth sensitive policy on gender equality & Greek Presidency priorities on gender equality presented at EP FEMM Committee

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) presented, on March 6, the world’s biggest survey on violence against women, based on 42,000 interviews from women aged 18-74. The survey asked women about their experiences of physical, sexual and psychological violence, including domestic violence, incidents of stalking, sexual harassment, and childhood abuse.

According to the key findings of the report, 33% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15, a number that corresponds to 62 million women. Furthermore, 43% have experienced some form of psychological violence by either a current or a previous partner, such as public humiliation; forbidding a woman to leave the house or locking her up; forcing her to watch pornography; and threats of violence. Moreover, 67% did not report the most serious incident of partner violence to the police or any other organisation.