Gender-Based Violence: From Rhetoric to Violent Act (2024, Papazisis Publications, ISBN 978-960-02-4122-8) by Vasiliki P. Meleti, a Doctor of Social Policy, is a rigorous and comprehensive examination of gender-based violence (GBV) as a global human rights crisis. Published by Papazisis Publications in Athens, this Greek-language book, prefaced by Yiannis Panousis, spans approximately 300 pages and is dedicated to Eleni Topaloudi, a victim of GBV. Through meticulous research, Meleti traces GBV’s roots in patriarchal structures, analyzes its modern manifestations, and proposes actionable strategies for its eradication. The book’s focus on the surge of GBV during the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with its emphasis on legal frameworks, statistical data, and victim support, makes it an essential resource for scholars, activists, and policymakers committed to gender equality.
Structure and Presentation
The book is methodically organized into nine chapters, supplemented by an introduction, prologue, epilogue, and an extensive bibliography. The structure is evident from the table of contents (pages 12–15), which outlines key sections:
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Chapters 1–3: Define GBV, explore its historical and cultural origins, and analyze international and European legal frameworks, including the Istanbul Convention and EU Directives (e.g., 2012/29/EU, 2011/36/EU). Statistical data contextualizes the prevalence of GBV globally and in Greece.
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Chapter 4: Examines the pandemic’s role in escalating violence against women, with international and Greek perspectives, highlighting exacerbating factors like lockdowns.
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Chapter 5: Details specific forms of GBV, such as human trafficking, femicide, and sexual violence, with subsections on legal tools and international agreements.
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Chapter 6: Focuses on protection and prevention, advocating for public reporting, secondary victim support, family law interventions, and psychological care.
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Chapters 7–8: Address institutional responses and biometric actions, including sexism in media and case studies, to underscore systemic challenges.
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Chapter 9: Concludes with reflections and recommendations, emphasizing collective mobilization.
Published by Papazisis, a reputable Greek academic press, the book is printed with clarity, though specific details about illustrations or supplementary materials are absent from the provided OCR excerpts. The bibliography (pages 299–312) is robust, citing sources from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), EIGE, WHO, and Greek legal documents, ensuring scholarly credibility. The dedication to Eleni Topaloudi adds a poignant personal touch, grounding the academic discourse in real-world tragedy.
Thematic Depth
Meleti’s central thesis is that GBV is a systemic issue rooted in patriarchal rhetoric that manifests in violent acts like domestic abuse, human trafficking, rape, and femicide. The book aligns with the provided summary, emphasizing GBV’s borderless nature, affecting women across demographics. The pandemic’s role is a key focus, with Meleti noting a “geometric increase” in violence due to restrictive measures, a claim supported by statistical data (e.g., Chapter 3, page 64).
Key themes include:
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Historical Roots: Meleti traces GBV to patriarchal models, where misogynistic discrimination normalized gender hierarchies, shaping modern social norms (Chapter 1).
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Modern Manifestations: The book catalogs GBV forms, from domestic violence to honor-based violence and female genital mutilation (FGM), with legal analyses of trafficking (Chapter 5, pages 184–188).
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Pandemic Impact: Chapter 4 (pages 81–101) details how lockdowns trapped victims with abusers, exacerbating vulnerabilities, with Greek-specific data highlighting local realities.
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Legal Frameworks: Meleti examines international agreements (e.g., Istanbul Convention, EU Directives) and Greek laws, critiquing implementation gaps (Chapters 2–3).
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Breaking the Cycle: The book advocates reporting incidents, accessing shelters, and leveraging collective organizations to challenge sexism and racism, aligning with the summary’s call for mobilization (Chapter 6, pages 191–232).
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Institutional and Cultural Change: Meleti emphasizes long-term institutional reforms and mindset shifts to dismantle stereotypes, with a focus on media’s role in perpetuating sexism (Chapter 8).
The book’s dedication to Eleni Topaloudi underscores its commitment to victims, while its Greek context enriches global discussions with localized insights.
Analytical Craft
Meleti’s prose, as inferred from the OCR and summary, is formal and precise, reflecting her expertise in social policy. The book balances academic rigor with accessibility, using statistical data (e.g., pages 64, 69, 76) and legal references to ground arguments. For example, Chapter 2 analyzes the Istanbul Convention’s impact, while Chapter 5 details EU Directives on trafficking, showcasing a command of policy frameworks. The bibliography’s breadth—spanning FRA, WHO, and Greek sources—enhances credibility.
The narrative avoids sensationalism, focusing on evidence-based analysis, such as the pandemic’s statistical impact on GBV (Chapter 4). Meleti’s call for “systematic individual and collective mobilization” (summary) is woven into practical recommendations, like public reporting (page 191) and psychological support (page 223). However, the Greek-language text may limit accessibility for non-Greek readers, and the OCR excerpts lack personal narratives, which could have added emotional depth to the data-driven approach.
Strengths and Considerations
The book’s strengths lie in its comprehensive scope and scholarly rigor. Meleti’s integration of global and Greek perspectives, supported by extensive data and legal analysis, makes it a vital contribution to GBV scholarship. The focus on the pandemic’s impact is timely, while the emphasis on actionable solutions—reporting, shelters, and collective advocacy—empowers readers. The dedication to Eleni Topaloudi and references to Greek realities (e.g., page 97) ground the work in local urgency, enhancing its relevance.
However, limitations exist. The Greek-language text restricts its global reach, and the lack of English translation (based on available data) may hinder international engagement. The OCR excerpts suggest a heavy reliance on data and policy, potentially at the expense of victim voices or case studies, which could humanize the narrative. Minor OCR inconsistencies (e.g., page numbering) and the absence of details on visual elements or chapter lengths slightly obscure the book’s full presentation. Finally, while Meleti advocates collective action, more specific examples of successful Greek interventions could strengthen practical applicability.
Cultural and Social Significance
Published in 2024, Gender-Based Violence: From Rhetoric to Violent Act aligns with global movements like #MeToo and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). Its Greek context enriches the discourse, addressing a region where GBV remains underreported due to cultural stigmas. Meleti’s focus on legal frameworks, such as the Istanbul Convention, positions the book as a bridge between European policy and local implementation, relevant for Greek policymakers and activists.
The book’s emphasis on collective mobilization resonates with feminist calls for systemic change, while its pandemic lens reflects post-COVID challenges. As a Greek academic contribution, it amplifies Southern European voices in GBV scholarship, complementing works like the FRA’s 2014 EU-wide survey. Its dedication to a Greek victim underscores its role as both scholarship and activism, urging readers to confront GBV’s local and global dimensions.
Final Words
Gender-Based Violence: From Rhetoric to Violent Act is a formidable and timely exploration of GBV’s roots, manifestations, and solutions. Vasiliki P. Meleti’s rigorous analysis, grounded in data and policy, illuminates the patriarchal structures sustaining violence while offering a roadmap for change through reporting, support systems, and collective action. Despite its language barrier and data-heavy approach, the book’s scholarly depth and urgent call to dismantle stereotypes make it indispensable for those fighting gender-based violence. Dedicated to Eleni Topaloudi, it is both a tribute to victims and a rallying cry for a world free from violence.
