From policy to practice: 30 years of the Beijing Declaration – assessing the realities of refugee women in Greece

Overview

This paper explores the condition of refugee women in Greece through the lens of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), as it reaches its 30th-anniversary milestone. Despite the Declaration’s commitment to promoting gender equality and protecting vulnerable women, refugee women in Greece continue to face multiple challenges, including gender-based violence, lack of access to health care, inadequate legal protection, and barriers to education. These women, having been forced to flee their countries due to war, persecution, or human rights violations, experience compounded vulnerabilities due to their gender, ethnic background, legal status, and other social differentiation factors. Drawing on intersectional and standpoint feminist frameworks, this study aims to address how the principles of the Beijing Declaration are reflected in the treatment and protection of refugee women in Greece by analysing their lived experiences and exploring their realities. It also critically evaluates the extent to which Greece has implemented gender-sensitive policies for refugee women that align with the goals set by the Beijing Declaration. The study highlights gaps between policy commitments and on-the-ground realities, offering insights to enhance the protection and inclusion of refugee women in Greece. The research is based on qualitative data collected from 50 respondents in 2023, including refugee women, NGO members, and experts in Greece. Through these data, the paper analyses the lived experiences of refugee women in both formal camps and urban settings, in particular in Athens and Lesvos Island, which are major refugee hubs. By reviewing international frameworks and Greece’s national policies, the study identifies areas where gender-sensitive approaches have been lacking and suggests actionable recommendations to enhance the protection and inclusion of refugee women. This research ultimately seeks to assess the progress made in advancing gender equality within the context of forced displacement in Greece.