With anger, disgust and deep sadness at the sharp escalation of gender-based violence, with 13 femicides to date and thousands of complaints from women, according to the Minister for the Protection of Citizens EL.AS. reviewed 5,140 incidents by August 2022, and we can’t help but wonder if women’s lives have the same value. And if these data mobilize us for immediate action, but above all for understanding the causes and consequences of gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence in all its forms is a permanent extreme form, which is femicide. Patriarchy, sexism, toxic masculinity, gender inequality are breeding grounds for the exacerbation of gender-based violence that occurs and unfolds daily, undermining women’s freedom and self-determination and the inalienable right to a decent life, to life itself.

Without ignoring the different levels of responsibility both of the organized state and its institutions and of civil society, we cannot help but wonder what would happen if, firstly, as an organized state and, secondly, as a conscious and solidary society, we would function differently: more directly, more comprehensively, more effectively, without discrimination and inadequacy, based on zero tolerance for gender-based violence. We believe that in this context, it is not only possible to save the lives of murdered women, but it is also extremely important to support all women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence without exception.

State and institutions

• If the authorized state bodies for the protection and support of women and children (for example, the Network of GIF / KETHI structures) were systematically supported and strengthened by the state.
• If the reaction of the prosecution authorities and the judiciary was provided on the basis of applicable law and in order to protect the lives of victims and the administration of justice.
• If only the authorities responded promptly, adequately and effectively to the complaints and messages of women.
• If women’s/feminist NGOs that systematically support victims of gender-based violence are strengthened.
• If measures were developed to prevent gender-based violence and the subject of sex education was included in compulsory education.

Media and social networks

• If the media weren’t content with just counting femicides, they would cover gender inequality and discrimination in all areas of public and private life.
• If the media followed the daily and systematic gender-based violence that women suffer in their personal space, at work, in public space, in education, sports, entertainment, on the Internet, etc.
• If only they contributed to the public debate about the prevention of gender violence, the importance of consent, the need to eliminate sexist/racist/homophobic stereotypes and extreme neoliberal ideas about sexuality, companionship, family, gender, etc.

Society, citizens and citizens

• If only we understood the full scale and depth of the phenomenon of gender violence and did not subject to social stigmatization of those women who declare their freedom and self-determination.
• If the close and wide circle of the victims, the neighborhood, colleagues, etc. encouraged women when they asked for help, and did not remain silent.
• If only we could work together to prevent and protect victims of gender-based violence.

Without “yes, but”

• The complexity of the phenomenon cannot serve as an alibi for gaps, inaction, ingrained sexist attitudes and, ultimately, for the misguided response of authorities, services and leaders in key positions in the implementation of protection and prevention policies.
• Patriarchal power relations breed economic, social and emotional slavery and dependency within the neoliberal system. The point is to cover all aspects of the phenomenon of gender-based violence, without resorting to victim-blaming and secondary victimization of epizootics, understanding the degree of causes and consequences in order to take coordinated multi-level actions to limit and prevent the phenomenon.

The basic condition is the recognition of the gender dimension and patriarchally structured relations between the sexes. As long as we deny the backstory of these crimes, we will stay away from meaningful and effective solutions and, above all, we will count dead women, wives, partners, daughters, mothers, and femininity in general. The legal recognition of the term “femicide” has exactly this meaning and is not associated with tougher punishments for murder, as it is mistakenly made out to be.

We believe that if we were to name them, if we uncovered and accepted all the dimensions of the phenomenon of gender-based violence, if we aspired and achieved zero tolerance, then we would take a serious first step and deal a decisive blow to the pandemic of gender-based violence.