COFFEE ISLAND AND HELLENIC ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN CULTURE AND TOURISM (HAWCT) TOGETHER FOR “WOMEN SAY NO TO VIOLENCE”

On the occasion of the “Women Say NO to Violence” program, an informational breakfast meeting was held on Thursday, March 12, at the Coffee Island store on Stadiou Street, with the participation of journalists and members of the Hellenic Association of Women in Culture and Tourism (HAWCT).

Also present at the meeting was Elena Rapti, Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, underlining the importance of cooperation between public bodies, organizations, and businesses in addressing violence against women.

The meeting was co-organized by the Hellenic Association of Women in Culture and Tourism (HAWCT) and Coffee Island. Representatives of Coffee Island, the Board of Directors and members of the Association, journalists, as well as Vicky Arali, founder of Immortaliting, attended the event. Immortaliting is a non-profit civil company based in Athens, active in supporting vulnerable social groups, promoting social inclusion, and protecting human dignity.

During the meeting, the “Women Say NO to Violence” program was presented. It was created by Immortaliting in collaboration with the Association of Women’s Associations Members of Heraklion & Heraklion Prefecture, a recognized non-profit organization that has supported women and children experiencing abuse in all its forms since 2001.

Special mention was made of the Safe Places network being developed within the framework of the program.

Already, 22 Coffee Island stores participate as Safe Places, offering an initial safe space for women who may need help, while another 18 are expected to be added over the next two months. Store staff have received special training so they can guide women to the appropriate support services and structures.

Venia Rapti, Communications & Digital Marketing Manager of Coffee Island, noted:

“No woman is alone. No form of violence is acceptable. We aim not only to spread the message, but also to empower every woman who experiences or fears violence. To inform her, support her, and contribute to the creation of a broader nationwide network of Safe Places, where every woman can feel safe, be heard, and be guided to the appropriate support services.”

As she noted, in cases of serious danger there is the possibility of immediate removal from the abusive environment and accommodation in safe shelter, in cooperation with the Panhellenic Hoteliers Federation, until the woman can be transferred to one of the 20 hospitality shelters operating throughout Greece.

The “Women Say NO to Violence” program aims to strengthen awareness around violence against women and create a network of support points within the daily life of the city.

Chrysa Voulgaridou, President of the Hellenic Association of Women in Culture and Tourism (HAWCT), referred to the initiatives the Association has implemented to combat violence against women. As she emphasized, these initiatives aim both to raise social awareness and to seek meaningful solutions for addressing this serious social issue.