“Persephone” Program in Pharmacies

Newpharm supports the initiative of the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association and the “Persephone” program, aiming to raise awareness among women who are victims of violence, to offer practical support, and to safeguard their physical safety.
The “Persephone Program – The Pharmacy as a Point of Awareness Against Violence” was named after the well-known myth, which reflects the first manipulative and abusive relationship of dependence between a woman and her husband:
“Pluto had fallen in love with Persephone and had confided his plan to make her Queen of the Underworld to her father, Zeus. The king of the gods warned him that the goddess Demeter would never allow her daughter to be taken away from her side. Persephone was abducted while she was in a meadow and led to the realm of the Underworld. Upon her arrival, she began begging Pluto to let her go free. At first, Pluto agreed to release her and offered her a pomegranate to console her. The Maiden ate six seeds and soon realized her mistake. In antiquity, the pomegranate symbolized the bonds of marriage that neither god nor mortal could break.”
The initiative aims to transform the Pharmacy into a point of visibility for the public—raising awareness, enabling communication, providing information, and redirecting victims to the appropriate authorities and specialists who can properly handle such incidents—while also establishing Pharmacies nationwide as Safe Spaces.
What the program includes:
• Awareness: Pharmacies become “visibility points” for victims of domestic violence.
• Information: Distribution of a special leaflet to the public with useful information.
• Action Protocol: Guidelines for pharmacists on how to act, providing contact details for specialized support services.
• Collaboration: Enrichment with local support structures through local Pharmaceutical Associations.
In essence, pharmacies function as an initial, accessible hub where someone experiencing violence can find help and guidance.