“Safe Futures”: Bridging the Health Gap for Migrant and Refugee Women in Greece
As sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Athens face a devastating shortfall following the closure of Médecins Sans Frontières' (MSF) Polyclinic in April 2025, Global Brigades Greece and Action for Women (AFW) have formed a partnership to address the urgent sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) needs of women left behind.
“Safe Futures” is the joint new initiative that aims to fill the critical gap in SRH services for migrant, undocumented, and refugee women - populations who already face disproportionate barriers to care and are now more vulnerable than ever.
A Crisis of Access and Equity
Extensive research shows that refugee and migrant women frequently face language, legal, cultural, and financial barriers that limit access to essential maternal and reproductive services. Exclusion from health programs due to immigration status further prevents these women from receiving critical care, worsening their health outcomes. The urgent need for inclusive, accessible SRH services for these women is underscored by these findings, highlighting the intersection of legal, economic, and social factors that contribute to health disparities.
“Safe Futures” will deliver survivor-focused, community-based SRH care through a multi-tiered approach in Global Brigades’ clinic, where an all female team of physicians and translators will provide essential SRH services including
Gynecological checkups and STI screenings
Family planning and emergency contraception counseling
Trauma informed support for survivors of gender-based violence
Sexual health education in multiple languages
Action for Women’s role is to integrate GBV counseling and psychosocial support to ensure a survivor centric approach. We recently launched the LEILA Hotline - a confidential, multilingual support line for survivors of gender-based violence.
LEILA (which stands for Listen, Empower, Intervene, Love, Assist) offers emotional support, safety planning, and information on safe shelter and legal referrals. The hotline is a vital bridge for women who may not yet feel safe accessing in-person care, ensuring survivors are not alone and can be guided toward both medical and psychosocial support.
Joint training programs by both organisations will aim to empower local health workers and women leaders to continue SRH service delivery and advocacy, building long-term resilience in affected communities. Over the past several months, Action for Women has already trained Global Brigades’ doctors and translators in trauma-informed, survivor-centric care. This ensures that women seeking SRH services are met with empathy, safety, and respect at every point of contact.
Who This Serves
The women at the heart of this project are often invisible in policy discussions:
Refugees and asylum seekers whose healthcare numbers are deactivated while appeals are pending
Recognised refugees with no access to the Greek national healthcare system due to administrative changes
Undocumented women, living in fear of deportation, cut off from basic care
They are women who face higher risks of sexual violence, unintended pregnancies, and maternal health complications—not because of their bodies, but because of borders, bureaucracy, and neglect.
“Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare is not a privilege—it’s a human right. This partnership ensures that no woman is left behind, regardless of her legal status or economic standing.”
Gabrielle Tay, AFW
Why This Partnership Matters
By combining Global Brigades’ strength in community health and sustainability with AFW’s deep-rooted experience in women’s rights and survivor advocacy, the project is uniquely positioned to offer both medical care and social justice.
Together, the organizations aim to:
Reach hundreds of women who would otherwise go without SRH care.
Empower women to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.
Build a sustainable model of care rooted in dignity, equity, and local leadership.
Together, we’re not just responding to a crisis, we’re building something better. A future where healthcare doesn’t ask for papers, and where every woman can make informed choices about her body and her life.
“Every woman deserves to live a life of dignity, free from fear and empowered to make choices about her own body. This partnership is about restoring that power.”
Tina Voulgari, Programs Director, Global Brigades
How You Can Help
This work is only possible through the power of community. If you believe that no woman should be denied healthcare because of her immigration status—we invite you to stand with us.
Volunteer Your Skills – Medical professionals, interpreters, and community educators are essential to our work. Get in touch with Global Brigades.
Donate – Every contribution helps us reach more women with care, dignity, and support.
Contact us at gabrielle@afw.ngo to learn more, get involved, or make a donation.
Together, we can build a future where safety and healthcare aren’t conditional—they’re guaranteed.
