Hear the voice of Greek women Posted by Ourania on Mar 8, 2021 in Culture, News, Vocabulary
Γεια σας! Ευχές για την Ημέρα της Γυναίκας! Happy Women’s Day! This year, the anniversary of International Woman’s Day (Παγκόσμια Ημέρα της Γυναίκας) has followed the “birth” of the #metoo movement in Greece. Greece is a conservative country where the concepts of patriarchy (πατριαρχία), and inequality (ανισότητα) grow without limitations. The lockdown restrictions have worsen the existing problems, therefore the need to change our mentality has been more urgent than ever. In this post, we will explore the changes that need to be done.
Φωτογραφία από ALBERTO H. FABREGAS από το Pixabay
We need to realize that gender-based violence (έμφυλη βία) happens everyday in any place.
Sex education (σεξουαλική αγωγή), which practically does not exist in Greece, can monitor and reduce prejudice: men should learn to understand the concepts of contentment (συναίνεση) and equality (ισότητα), i.e to respect the boundaries set by a woman and to treat her as equal. They should also learn that unacceptable behavior has consequences that they will have to face. The stereotype of toxic masculinity (τοξική αρρενωπότητα) has to be fought.
As far as legislation is concerned, if a woman denounces abuse (κακοποίηση) or sexual assault, she is discouraged to proceed to the prosecution (δίωξη) of the offender and if she finally takes the offender to court she is often treated in a disrespectful way and not not as victim. This mentality needs to change radically. Moreover, the statute of limitations and the standardization of crimes such as sexual harassment must be considered.
We need to understand and to reach the less privileged women, i.e. refugees (πρόσφυγες), financially dependent (οικονομικά εξαρτημένες) or with poor income, women who use drugs (χρήστριες ναρκωτικών), LGBTQIA+ people (άτομα ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+) and all those who are not able or do not know where to denounce being abused. We also need to provide them access to the right support centers and shelters for free. It is very important to make these women feel safe and understand that their voice can be heard. Therefore, the financial support of the State is critical.
If you are a violence victim, check this or dial 15900, the 24H SOS help line.
Φωτογραφία από Gerd Altmann από το Pixabay
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About the Author: Ourania
Ourania lives in Athens. She holds a degree in French Literature and a Master’s degree in Special Education for Children. Since 2008, she has been teaching Greek to foreigners.
Comments:
susan parrelli:
Thank you for posting this… So important for both genders. It’s time for people to be accountable for their actions.
Christophe:
Hi Ourania! Thank you for this amazing post.
Maybe you consider writing an entry about words such as “όσο, πάντως, μάλιστα”? I would appreciate lots of examples with these words, because I have veeeery difficult time in understanding the multiple usages of them in various contexts 🙂
Also, maybe words about feelings (when you’re happy, angry, unsatisfied, offended, pleasant, etc)? Or special idioms/phrases referring to situations with feelings?
Thanks!
Ourania:
@Christophe Thank you for the suggestions, Christophe! I will write an entry about these topics soon.
In the meantime, check this: https://blogs.transparent.com/greek/greek-idiomatic-expressions-describing-feelings-and-mood/
Adi:
Hi. I just saw this email, so, I would like to add that along with women there are men – boys who are also abused, sometimes by the same person, who forces himself on both sexes (and of various ages). Usually, it is some kind of threat imposed on the victim: “If you don’t accept, I will do/ say …”. The victim is then supposed to be one who provokes this situation, although, in reality, it is the offender, and him alone, acting on his impulse. I wonder, how power-hungry are this kind of men really? What is the cause of all this?