The Association of Women’s Organizations of Heraklion & Heraklion Prefecture (UWAH) is a recognized non-profit organization founded in 2001, with a mission to provide practical support to women and children experiencing abuse in all its forms.
The Association's goal is to help victims break the cycle of violence and regain control of their lives through counseling, housing, empowerment, and social integration.
We support every woman who chooses to say 'no' to violence and inequality. Through specialized services, prevention programs, and awareness-raising actions, we intervene in a sustainable and direct way at both the local and national level to combat gender-based violence and promote equality.
We envision a society with zero tolerance for violence, where every woman and every child enjoys safety, respect, and equal opportunities. A society with protective structures, citizens who take a stand, and authorities that work together effectively to eliminate gender-based discrimination.
Immortaliting is a Non-Profit Civil Company based in Athens, founded in 2021. Its goal is to support vulnerable social groups, promote social inclusion, and protect human dignity.
Through streetwork activities, social support, distribution of essential goods, and community interventions, Immortaliting makes a meaningful impact on the lives of people experiencing extreme forms of social exclusion. Its flagship initiative is Project Metamorphosis – the first mobile shower and wardrobe unit in Greece.
It participates in the program 'Women Say No to Violence' with the aim of empowering and giving visibility to women affected by gender-based violence, approaching them with respect, equality, and person-centered care.
Our vision is to transform communities into engines of change –
where women engage, advocate, and lead.
Project Coordinator -
Association of Women’s Organizations of Heraklion
Project Officer -
Association of Women’s Organizations of Heraklion
Social worker
Ioanna Stefanidou Chronaki is a psychologist specialized in Cognitive Neuroscience and Clinical Neuropsychology (MSc, Università degli Studi di Padova), currently undergoing further training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies at the University of Crete. She has experience supporting survivors of gender-based and domestic violence (Association of Women’s Organizations of Heraklion), as well as caring for individuals with intellectual disabilities (Day Care Center “Right to Life”).
She has completed internships in both hospital and refugee settings and has volunteered with Alzheimer Hellas and various European awareness campaigns. She is fluent in English, proficient in French and Italian, and possesses excellent digital skills.
In the STOP VIOLENCE PROJECT – WOMEN SAY NO TO VIOLENCE, Ioanna is a field professional. She develops educational materials, delivers trainings, provides interventions for survivors of violence, and supports awareness and mobilization activities.
Christina Tsaka is a Project Officer at the Association of Women’s Organizations of Heraklion, with academic expertise in human rights and their international protection. She holds a degree in International, European, and Regional Studies from Panteion University and an LL.M. in International Human Rights Law from the University of Groningen.
She has experience in the implementation and monitoring of European and national programs, as well as in advocacy, research support, and administrative organization. Christina has worked at the Consular Office of Greece in Cyprus, in research institutes, and in civil society organizations, with a particular focus on defending the rights of refugees and migrants, women, and combating gender-based violence.
In the STOP VIOLENCE PROJECT – WOMEN SAY NO TO VIOLENCE, Christina manages the implementation of the project and its activities.
Nikolas Spetsidis is the Project Coordinator at the Association of Women’s Organizations of Heraklion, an NGO based in Crete that has been active for 25 years in combating violence against women and girls. As a male feminist, he coordinates the operation and development of the organization, participates in research projects, and has implemented over 20 European programs. He leads advocacy efforts aimed at policy change against gender-based and domestic violence in Greece and actively engages in national and European dialogues to strengthen support services for women.
He also provides advisory support to the organization’s Board of Directors and contributes to both national and European discussions on improving the response to gender-based violence and enhancing the effectiveness of specialized women’s support services.
In the STOP VIOLENCE PROJECT – WOMEN SAY NO TO VIOLENCE, Nikolas serves as the Project Coordinator.
Konstantina Stavrou is a social worker at the non-profit organization Immortaliting. She focuses on supporting women who face multiple forms of vulnerability and works to ensure their dignity, safety, and empowerment. She deeply believes in the importance of preventing gender-based violence and in mobilizing local communities as a driving force for social change.
Vicky Arali is the founder of the Non-Profit Organization Immortaliting, which implements initiatives to support vulnerable groups. As a single parent with deep understanding of the challenges faced by mothers without a support network, she has dedicated her work to empowering other women through programs focused on social awareness, care, and solidarity. With a focus on combating gender-based violence and strengthening single-parent families, she actively contributes to building a fairer and more inclusive society.
