A candidate for the European Parliament in Greece (of leftist beliefs if SYRIZA can be considered a left-wing party) in a discussion about violence against women and the increasing femicides in Greece as well as in many other countries, expressed the opinion that the problem lies in women choosing the wrong men:
“I don’t see a problem for women in Greece and generally in the European Union. Unless they want to have one. That is, if they choose a tyrant who abuses them and they don’t speak up and just tolerate it, it’s their problem, right?”
Of course, there was a strong reaction, and the gentleman ceased to be a candidate, but his views remain unshaken and unfortunately prevalent in societies, which are becoming increasingly extreme, conservative, and hateful.
And this concerns us all. The Association for the Prevention and Handling of Family Violence (SPAVO) provided data, according to which 800 women in Cyprus are potential victims of femicide.
This number comes from the cases they handle (3,300 cases per year). From these cases, it is estimated that 800 women are at risk.
At the same time, the British newspaper Guardian tackled the issue, drawing a parallel with the idols of the ancient Cycladic civilization.
“Most of the Cycladic figures are female, during or after pregnancy, as evidenced by the swollen bellies that form a slightly protruding arch or the flat stomachs with raised lines symbolizing stretch marks. Fertility was important to worship in such cultures – and from the collection of surviving nude female idols, it appears that women’s bodies were particularly revered for their miraculous powers,” writes Katy Hessel, emphasizing:
“Bodies are to be honoured, not objectified, exploited, or destroyed.”
After pointing out the need for action, she explains the obvious: “While it’s good for women to feel they can find refuge, what about the children they may care for? Shouldn’t they be the victims who are called to leave, who must endure such behaviour? They should feel safe everywhere, at all times. What is urgent is the need for education. Although these Cycladic idols come from a very ancient civilization, we can learn from them. With their calm features and beautiful curves, which have survived wars, earthquakes, revolutions, and more, they teach us about the beauty of bodies, the need to protect them, not to destroy them – and to respect their incredible abilities as life-givers,” the article states.
However, a woman is many things beyond a life-giver, and respect should not revolve around that.
