On 19 June 2020, Symbiosis-School of Political Studies in Greece, affiliated to the Council of Europe Network of Schools, held the first awareness presentation of the FOMEN project in Greece. The presentation was undertaken by Nikoleta Petalidou, Psychologist and FOMEN Researcher in Greece and was held in the framework of the online event “Inclusion or eviction: Governmental choices on the refugee/migration issue. What are the consequences for Greek society?” co-organized by the SelectRespect Network, Symbiosis is a member of.
Initially, Petalidou presented the current situation and how the imposed lockdown due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected refugees and migrants, especially those living in camps. Her presentation focused on the psychological disturbance that this situation provoked and the links to the increased cases of gender-based violence observed. She highlighted that the pandemic brought to the surface, in a more urgent way, the ever-growing need for a gender-sensitive approach of violence prevention work and for a critical reflection of the traditional men’s role.
Following the presentation of the current situation, Petalidou presented the objectives and activities of the project, as well as the specific approach that FOMEN follows. Further, she presented the outputs produced by Symbiosis-School of Political Studies in Greece in the framework of the project up to now, namely the translated project brochure and the “Survival Kit for Men Under Pressure during the COVID-19 crisis”, prepared and distributed during the lockdown period. Petalidou focused on the discussions of the Experts’ Workshop that Symbiosis implemented in December 2019. She presented the topics addressed during the workshop, the needs of male migrants and refugees that arose regarding gender-based violence, as well as the needs of front-line professionals working on the field of preventing gender-based violence. Symbiosis research team also authored a policy brief on “Male Gender-Based Violence: A hidden issue” in April 2020. Finally, Petalidou presented the FOMEN future steps and answered questions during the discussion part of the event.
The Partnership
