Within the framework of AKTO’s collaboration with Diotima Center, we are launching the events of Women in Art(s) Vol II with the screening of the documentary “SAFEable: Accessibility and Inclusion in Awareness and Protection against Gender-based Violence“, directed by Niobi Anazikou.
This is a fully accessible documentary, in whose design and implementation women with sensory disabilities actively participated. Through their narratives, the difficulties they face in their efforts to escape abusive environments are highlighted, while the relationship between gender-based violence and ableism is explored. In the documentary, specialized consultants from the Diotima Centre share useful information to inform and raise awareness among communities, as well as the wider public, regarding the signs of gender-based violence and methods of protection.
Women with disabilities constitute 25.7% of the population of Greece. As available data internationally indicate, they face a higher risk of experiencing gender-based violence. Often, this abuse also takes on ableist dimensions: emotional degradation linked to disability, deliberate neglect, deprivation of medication, and more.
Indeed, in their attempt to escape, they must overcome a series of social obstacles. The high rates of unemployment and poverty they face trap them in abusive relationships, while simultaneously encountering difficulties accessing available support structures: inaccessible spaces, lack of sign language interpreters, and staff trained in orientation and mobility issues, among others.
Finally, there is a lack of accessible information regarding gender-based violence, their rights, and the available support structures where they can seek assistance. Read more here
* The SAFEable documentary was created within the framework of the eponymous program implemented by the two organizations with the support of the Alliance for Gender Equality in Europe. The program also included: The creation of an informative website on issues of gender-based violence and disability, fully accessible to people with sensory disabilities. The training of sign language interpreters and liminal staff on issues of gender-based violence and the advisors of the Diotima Centre on issues of accessibility and disability inclusion. The conversion of necessary documents for the support of women by the services of the Diotima Centre into braille, large print, electronic format, audio message, video with subtitling and sign language interpretation. The conduct of focused discussion groups with people with sensory disabilities. For more information, visit the accessible website on issues of gender-based violence and disability https://diotima.org.gr/safeable/