EQUAL SOCIETY

The initiative aims to systematically monitor, assess and strengthen the implementation of national, European and international policies for the elimination of violence against women. Through evidence-based research, innovative monitoring tools and policy recommendations, it promotes institutional accountability, identifies policy gaps and good practices, and contributes to the development of more effective prevention and protection policies.

The initiative targets public authorities and policy makers, civil society organizations, professionals working in the prevention and response to gender-based violence, researchers and academics, as well as women experiencing or at risk of violence, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of improved public policies and support systems.

The project was implemented under the PREVENT Programme. The "Observatory for Monitoring National, European and International Policies on the Elimination of Violence against Women – Regions of Attica, Western Greece and the Ionian Islands" started on 31 March 2025 and was successfully completed on 31 May 2026.

The Observatory is an innovative initiative of Equal Society that shifts the focus from awareness-raising to the systematic monitoring and evaluation of policies addressing violence against women.

The project develops a dynamic digital database and an innovative monitoring tool to assess the implementation of national, European and international policies. It also maps stakeholders, collects and analyses data across the Regions of Attica, Western Greece and the Ionian Islands.

The Observatory produces evidence-based policy reports and policy briefs, strengthens cooperation among stakeholders and promotes public dialogue through open dissemination events. Its key innovative feature is the establishment of a permanent institutional accountability mechanism that evaluates how effectively existing policies are implemented in practice and supports evidence-informed policymaking.

The initiative is implemented within the framework of the PREVENT Programme, co-funded by the European Union and the Bodossaki Foundation, in cooperation with the NGO Support Centre and a broad network of public authorities, civil society organizations, researchers and experts. These partnerships contribute to data collection, knowledge exchange and the development of evidence-based policy recommendations.

The initiative is implemented through the multidisciplinary collaboration of Equal Society's staff, including policy analysts, researchers, IT specialists and scientific experts. Volunteers and partner organizations also contribute to stakeholder mapping, research activities, dissemination of results and the organization of public events.

Regions of Attica, Western Greece and the Ionian Islands, Greece.

The Observatory monitors the implementation of national, European and international policies on the elimination of violence against women across these regions.

The Observatory establishes a sustainable mechanism for monitoring policies addressing violence against women, strengthening institutional accountability and cooperation among public authorities and civil society.

Key measurable outputs include:

Development of one dynamic digital database and one digital policy monitoring tool.
Mapping of stakeholders and support services across three Regions (Attica, Western Greece and the Ionian Islands).
Production and publication of evidence-based policy reports and policy briefs.
Primary research identifying implementation gaps in existing policies.
Organization of public dissemination events and stakeholder engagement activities.
Capacity building for civil society organizations through access to reliable data, research findings and monitoring tools.

Overall, the initiative contributes to improving public dialogue, strengthening institutional responses and supporting the development of more effective policies to prevent and combat violence against women.

The initiative reinforces Equal Society's role as an organization producing evidence-based knowledge and actively contributing to public policy development.

It has established permanent knowledge infrastructure through a digital database and monitoring tool, strengthened strategic partnerships with public institutions and civil society organizations, enhanced the organization's research capacity, and increased its ability to generate measurable social impact and sustainable policy recommendations.