Facing Gendered Challenges in the Samos CCAC: Advocating for Safe Spaces for Women

Today, on International Women's Day, we want to highlight the importance of recognizing the unique challenges faced by women on the move. According to UNHCR, women represent one of the most vulnerable categories of people on the move and seeking asylum, often subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, both before and during their journey. As a result, their migration experiences are often shaped by heightened risks and challenges that are gendered in nature. 

In addition, research has shown that once they arrive in countries of asylum, women and girls often face additional barriers to integration and protection, including limited access to resources, education, healthcare, and employment.

It is against this backdrop that we turn our attention to the situation faced by women in the Samos Closed Controlled Access Centre (CCAC).

Life as a Woman in the Samos CCAC

Women in the Samos CCAC face a range of challenges that highlight the intersection of gender and migration.

One of the main issues reported by women residing in the Samos CCAC is the lack of adequate protection and consideration for women’s specific needs. The absence of individual vulnerability assessments is a significant problem. Reports from the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) have highlighted the cases of women in the Samos CCAC who are forced to share containers with unrelated men, including pregnant women who have not received the necessary support, and survivors of trafficking who have not been identified. This oversight not only leaves women exposed to further harm but also contributes to a lack of safety and emotional well-being. 

Another pressing concern linked to this issue is the lack of privacy that women experience in the CCAC. Many reported being forced to sleep on the floor on cardboard, with little or no security. Showers are often shared with men, and long queues make this experience even more stressful. Women have underlined feeling on edge, fearful of harassment or violence. The absence of basic privacy and security leads to high levels of anxiety, leaving them feeling unsafe.

Empowering Women Through Safe Spaces

In a context where women represent only 20% of the population in the CCAC (compared to 43% men), their voices are often marginalized. Without safe spaces designed specifically for women, the risk of physical and psychological harm increases. This is why at Samos Volunteers, we have created women-only spaces, designed to offer a reprieve from the harsh realities of life in the camp. These spaces provide women with a safe environment where they can connect with others, share experiences, and access essential support.

Creating a women-only space is not only about offering a sense of safety but also about recognizing women’s agency and empowering them. Women in migration are often viewed through the lens of vulnerability, and while it is critical to acknowledge their specific needs, it is equally important to recognize their strength, resilience, and ability to contribute to the community.

Our women’s spaces are designed to foster these qualities. Activities such as crochet, knitting, arts and crafts, dance, and beauty rituals provide women with the opportunity to connect with others and rediscover their sense of self. These spaces are not just about respite; they are about building confidence, creating solidarity, and allowing women to share meaningful moments in an environment where they feel valued and respected.

In these spaces, we see the importance of recognizing women as agents of change and active participants in their own lives and in the development of their communities. It is crucial that we support them in their journey, empowering them to reclaim their dignity, autonomy, and future.

Calling for Safe Spaces on International Women's Day

On this International Women’s Day, we advocate for a better understanding of why gender matters in the migratory process. We call for a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to addressing the needs of women in migration, particularly those living in repressive and overcrowded spaces like the Samos CCAC. Women’s spaces are not a luxury; they are a necessity. They provide a safe haven for women to heal, find solidarity, and reclaim their agency.

We stand with the women in the Samos CCAC, and we demand a more equitable, respectful approach to their care, protection, and integration. 

This International Women’s Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting women in migration by creating spaces that not only make them feel safe and heard but also empower them.

Written by Gaia Polidori, Communications Officer

Edited by Dalia Impiglia, Communications, Fundraising and Advocacy Coordinator