PRESS RELEASE
26/11/2020
The Stone Clock in Pasalimani was illuminated in orange color in a symbolic social action for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The Municipality of Piraeus, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, participated in the national act of the Ministry of Citizen Protection with the slogan “You have a voice”. The illumination of the Stone Clock in Pasalimani in orange color was the chosen symbolic social action conducted.
This social action was supported by the European Program “Be Secure – Feel Secure (BSFS)”, in which the Municipality of Piraeus is the leading partner. Main goal of BSFS is the improvement of urban security in Piraeus through the strengthening of social cohesion in the city.
With this symbolic action, the Municipality of Piraeus sends a strong social awareness message that the time has come for us to raise our voice against domestic violence, as well as encourage society and victims to search for support and fight against fear.
Τhe beginning of the event was marked by the message “You are not Alone”. With this initiative, women Municipal Councilors of the Municipality of Piraeus from all political parties, stand united against all forms of violence and send their own message of support to all women.
As part of the information actions for the fight against domestic violence, buildings and emblematic landmarks were also illuminated in other cities of Greece, including the Rio-Antirio Bridge and the “Calatrava” Bridge on Mesogeion Avenue, Athens. The Region of Attica also participated in this action by broadcasting an awareness message on the 24 electronic boards positioned on the main roads of Athens.
The Mayor of Piraeus Mr. Giannis Moralis in his statement stressed:
“With the illumination of the Stone Clock in Pasalimani, the Municipality of Piraeus sends its own message against domestic violence. No kind of violence, whether physical, verbal or psychological is acceptable and anyone experiencing abuse must speak out. For this reason, the state and the competent authorities must ensure the safety and effective support of victims of domestic violence. The Municipality of Piraeus, both with the hostel for abused women and with the newly established Municipal Equality Committee will stand by anyone in need of support “.
The Deputy Mayor of Communication – Promotion, Media, Utilization of European & National Resources, Mrs. Andriana Zarakeli, stated:
“Domestic violence is an issue that should concern us all. The Municipality of Piraeus, being particularly sensitive to issues of equal treatment and support of our vulnerable fellow citizens, participates in the action of the Ministry of Citizen Protection with the slogan “You have a voice”. By illuminating this central point in our city, the Clock in Pasalimani, we want to send a strong message in the midst of a pandemic, that with the right information, understanding, and encouragement to seek help, those who experience such abuse, can be helped actually and essentially”.
The president of the Local Council for Crime Prevention (LCCP) of Piraeus and Authorized Municipal Councilor Mrs. Kyriaki Bourdakou in her statement stated, among other things:
“With the symbolic illumination of the Stone Clock in Pasalimani, the Municipality of Piraeus shows once again its awareness in social matters by supporting, in the midst of a pandemic, a topic so important as is the fight against domestic violence. The Municipality of Piraeus is always by the side of our fellow citizens who need support and help. This is also the goal of LCCP Piraeus, to listen and understand the citizens’ sense of insecurity and to propose actions to deal with them “.
The Chairman of the Municipal Committee of Equality of Piraeus, Mr. Alexandros Tzeferakos, pointed out:
“Representing the new institution of the Municipal Equality Committee of the Municipality of Piraeus as chairman, along with all members and associates in the social services of the Municipality, we want with our presence in this symbolic act to combat domestic violence and to declare that the Municipality of Piraeus is at the forefront with the “Abuse Women Care Hostel”. The greatest value lays in information, prevention and communication. As a new institution with the staff and equipment that the Municipality will provide us, we declare ourselves present and ready to help in all directions “.
Professor of Criminology at Panteion University, Director of the Laboratory of Urban Criminology and Scientific supervisor of the Be Secure Feel Secure project, Mrs. Christina Zarafonitou in a statement pointed out:
“The necessity of a World Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in modern globalized society means that the reasons that dictate its existence continue to exist. Many vulnerable victims are exploited in the context of transnational organized crime, while extreme forms of criminal violence against women are revived, often manifesting themselves where everyone should feel safest, ie in their family environment. In the face of these brutal violations of women’s rights, which are violations of human rights, social responses can and must be organized around policies to prevent violence and insecurity in the daily lives of all citizens, with respect for the human value, which is the foundation of our legal and political culture “.
The women of the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Piraeus send their own message:
“YOU ARE NOT ALONE: There are so many of us women who face violence just because we were born women.
Women-mothers, women-daughters, women-husbands or partners, women-workers, women-professionals, women beautiful and less beautiful, Greek women or immigrants, poorer or richer.
VIOLENCE HAS MANY FORMS: Verbal or psychological violence, financial exploitation, physical or sexual abuse.
WE WILL NOT STAY SILENT: We demand the elimination of the phenomenon, because we are just exactly what men are, people.
And we demand equality, justice, respect and self-respect, without any discrimination, reservation, objection or deviation.
We are not defined by our gender, but from the way each one of us and no one else poses “.
Women Municipal Councilors that attended: Mrs. Andriana Zarakeli, Mrs. Kyriaki Mpourdakou, Mrs. Alexandra-Gerasimoula Toumazatou, Mrs. Antonia Karakatsani, Mrs. Athina Glyka-Charvalakou, Mrs. Stauroula Mela, Mrs. Eirini Daifa, Mrs. Litsa Kalagia, Mrs.Leotsakou Soula and Mrs.Dritsa Lia.
The Deputy Mayor for Planning and Development Mr. Dimitrios Karydis, the Chairman of the Municipal Committee of Equality of Piraeus and Municipal Councilor Mr. Alexandros Tzeferakos and the Municipal Councilor Mr. Dimitrios Gerles also participated.
The event was conducted in line with the national Covid-19 dispersion measures.
