Violence Against Women at Work...Let's Talk About It!
International surveys have found that between 40 and 90 per cent of women suffer some forms of violence and harassment during the course of the working lives. Violence and harassment at work have immediate effects on the concerned women, including a lack of motivation, loss of confidence and reduced self-esteem, depression and anger, anxiety and irritability. In the same way as with stress, these symptoms are likely to develop into physical illness, mental health problems, tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse. These symptoms may culminate in occupational accidents, invalidity and even suicide.
In order to raise awareness of the harmful mental health impacts of violence and harassment, the project "Violence against Women in the workplace...Let's talk about it!" aims to carry out a targeted awareness raising campaign and to collect good practices for preventing mental health problems resulting from violence and harassment against women at work.
The project is carried out in countries with higher than average rates of violence and harassment against women at work: Lithuania and Slovenia; countries with medium rates: Austria, Greece and Romania; and countries with low rates: Cyprus, Latvia and Spain.
The project runs for 2 years (2009-2010) and is funded by the Directorate General of Justice, Freedom and Security in the frame of the DAPHNE III Programme.
