More than one in three women in Cyprus — 36.1% — have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, a rate above the EU average of 30.7%, according to a 2024 survey on gender-based violence by FRA, EIGE and Eurostat. Nearly 40% have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
The figures come as a new European programme, VOICES, secures €2.5 million to fund action against gender-based violence in Cyprus and Greece, supporting 37 projects in total — eight in Cyprus and 29 in Greece.
What the programme covers
According to an announcement by the NGO Support Centre in Cyprus, the programme will focus on preventing and addressing domestic and sexual violence, online gender-based violence and other harmful gender-related practices. Women and girls with multiple vulnerabilities, as well as survivors of violence, are at the centre of its work.
Beyond funding individual projects, VOICES aims to strengthen the organisational capacity and sustainability of civil society organisations and support their participation in shaping policy. Activities include training, mentoring, workshops, networking and awareness-raising.
Funding and partners
VOICES is co-funded by the European Union through its Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, alongside the Bodossaki Foundation, the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights and the NGO Support Centre in Cyprus. The Bodossaki Foundation leads the programme as coordinator, with the other two organisations as partners.
How to apply
Civil society organisations wishing to submit proposals under the call — titled “Prevention and combating of various forms of gender-based violence” — can do so until Wednesday, July 1, 2026, through the Bodossaki Foundation’s platform.
A launch event was held on April 3 at the Strovolos Cultural Centre, including an open discussion and a proposal-writing workshop for civil society organisations.
(information from CNA)