Where are all the women in Greek politics?!
Reading the second e-bulletin on ‘Women in Decision Making’ from the Greek General Secretariat for Gender Equality (GSGE), all I could feel was anger. Anger and confusion.
Where are the women in Greece’s politics? Why aren’t women part of the country’s governance system? Why aren’t women sitting at the decision table, creating the framework for generations to come, so our children live in an environment that fosters success and progress?
Women in Greece comprise 51% of the total population, yet in Parliament they currently make up for a rather embarrassing 18.3%.
That means 55 women VS. 245 men.
The why of this percentage is long, complicated, and derives from several parts of our local history, international influences, pop culture, and other geo-political reasons.
The important question is …
How can we change this?
This is not a matter of men VS. women. This is a matter of collaboration between them and of equal representation for all members of our society.
We need to empower the new female generations to be fearless. Girls and women should know that they have no fewer rights, no fewer skills, and no less power to lead this country than men do. And they should aspire to do so.
Girls and women should know that they have no fewer rights, no fewer skills, and no less power to lead this country than men do.
We need to teach our boys from a young age to be respectful of women and to face them as equal partners and teammates.
We need to bring to light Greek and international women in key leadership positions. Women that are breaking through the status quo and the stereotypical image of the male leader.
We need to empower and inspire our girls to believe they can be presidents, prime ministers, and ministers.
Taking life into our own hands is not an easy task. It means there is no-one to blame other than ourselves when the outcomes of our decisions become real. But aren’t you tired of blaming others? I know I am.
Slowly and decisively we, women, can and should be part of our country’s governance. Let’s start now, 1% at a time.
