4 OUT OF 10 WOMEN IN CYPRUS HAVE EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE - WHAT A EUROSTAT SURVEY SHOWED - Filenews 8/4
Almost 4 out of 10 women (36.1%) in Cyprus have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, a rate that exceeds the EU average (30.7%), while almost 40% have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, according to an EU survey on gender-based violence (FRA, EIGE, Eurostat, 2024).
These alarming figures demonstrate the need for targeted prevention and support interventions in Cyprus and in this direction, the new European VOICES programme secures funding of €2.5 million for actions to prevent and combat gender-based violence in Greece and Cyprus, with the support of 37 projects in total, 29 in Greece and 8 in Cyprus.
According to an announcement by the NGO Support Center in Cyprus, the interventions will cover the prevention and treatment of domestic and sexual violence, gender-based cyberviolence and other harmful gender-based practices, while the focus is on women and girls with multiple vulnerabilities, survivors and survivors of violence.
VOICES is co-funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, the Bodossaki Foundation, the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights and the NGO Support Centre in Cyprus.
Its aim is, in addition to funding actions, to strengthen the organizational capacity and sustainability of Civil Society actors and their participation in the formulation of policies.
It is noted that the opening event in Cyprus took place on April 3, 2026 at the Strovolos Cultural Center, with an open discussion and an application writing workshop for NPOs.
In addition, the program includes trainings, mentoring, workshops, networking, awareness-raising and advocacy activities.
The Bodossaki Foundation (Coordinator), in partnership with the NGO Support Center (Partner) in Cyprus and the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights (Partner), announces the open call for proposals by Civil Society organizations "Prevention and combating of various forms of gender-based violence".
Through the call, approximately 37 projects will be supported, of which 29 in Greece and 8 in Cyprus, with the aim of implementing actions to combat all forms of gender-based violence, such as preventing and addressing domestic and sexual violence, gender-based cyberviolence, as well as harmful practices related to gender-based violence.
Interested organizations can submit their applications until Wednesday, July 1, 2026, through the Bodossaki Foundation platform.
