Categories: Politics

M. Syrgella: Laws and measures alone are not enough to achieve gender equality

M. Syrgella: Laws and measures alone are not enough to achieve gender equality

In a few days, the electronic platform will be opened for those who are interested in registering in the Register of Curators for “Neighborhood Nannies”, while the creation of babysitting facilities in businesses is progressing rapidly.

These are just two of the actions that the Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance has on its agenda with the aim of reconciling personal and professional life and in order to strengthen women’s work and entrepreneurship.

“… However, in order to achieve gender equality, not only laws and measures that ensure equal opportunities for men and women are enough, but it is equally important to change the very culture of our society… to build a culture in which individuals are free to develop their personal skills and abilities, regardless of their gender “. This was underlined by the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, in charge of Demographic Policy, Family and Gender Equality, Maria Syregela, in an interview with APE – MPE, and referred to the actions that are planned.

The Undersecretary, in addition to taking measures for the under-representation of women in science and in order for more girls to study STEM, refers in particular to the initiatives to create a culture of zero tolerance for incidents of violence and harassment.

As the Undersecretary notes, in addition to informative actions and the operation of the website https://metoogreece.gr, the creation of a Danger Tool for women victims of violence is planned, in order to assess the recurrence rate of violence in their close environment as well as a study on the profile of perpetrators of domestic violence.

At the same time, actions are being taken in schools “in order to send the message to our children that τερα in general, violence in all its forms and abuse is not acceptable”, as he underlines.

The whole interview of M. Syregella

– Women are still under-represented in the labor market. How do we fight gender stereotypes in the labor market?

– At the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, we are promoting actions to combat discrimination against women in the labor market, aiming at substantial gender equality. Actions included in the new National Action Plan for Gender Equality 2021-2025, encourage the reconciliation of personal and professional life, strengthen women’s work and entrepreneurship and effectively address deep-rooted gender stereotypes.

Also, with the new labor law, we introduced a series of new parental leave and introduced flexible work arrangements that contribute to the equal treatment of men and women and remove the disincentives for hiring women.

However, in order to achieve gender equality, not only the laws and measures that ensure equal opportunities for men and women are enough, but also the change of the culture of our society is equally important. We must all break down the perceptions that male employees want as a “safer” choice than women and build a culture in which individuals are free to develop their personal skills and abilities, regardless of gender.

– To increase the participation rates of women in the labor market, what is the action plan for 2022 and in general?

– The “Neighborhood Nanny” program and the project for the creation of babysitting facilities within the companies contribute substantially to the strengthening of women’s work. With these projects we help women to stay or re-enter the labor market after the birth of their children.

The truth is that a large percentage of young mothers are forced to choose between motherhood and the job market. We want to help women get rid of the “family or career” dilemma and support those who want to continue their careers.

The “Neighborhood Nanny” program, which concerns the care of infants aged from two months to 2.5 years and provides for the financial support (voucher) of parents for the care of their children, will start soon, while the project is progressing rapidly. to create babysitting facilities in businesses.

– You said that the “Neighborhood Nannies” will start soon. When exactly;

– In a few days, the electronic platform will be opened, in which the interested professionals will apply, who wish to register in the Register of Curators and have the conditions mentioned in the law. Then, through the same platform, the parents who are entitled to a voucher, will be able to search for and select a Curator from the Register, according to their needs.

– Which parents can apply to join the program?

Applicants for financial assistance are working mothers or fathers in either the public or private sector working in any form of employment, including the self-employed and self-employed. Also, the program can include persons who have been assigned by a court decision the exclusive custody of the baby, as well as unemployed mothers who are registered in the registers of OAED.

– What are the criteria by which the first municipalities will be selected in which the “Neighborhood Nanny” program will be piloted?

– The “Neighborhood Nannies” will be implemented on a pilot basis in some municipalities of the country – municipalities from all regions will be included – depending on the needs that exist for the specific service. This program complements the existing family support framework with daycare centers and covers cases where to date they have not had assistance with childcare.

– The creation of the Innovation Center for Women, what specific weaknesses does it seek to eliminate and what positive elements does it seek to develop?

– In Greece there is a smaller number of girls who choose STEM studies (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics), both compared to the number of boys and the corresponding average of the European Union. So in order to support women and direct them to industries that are still considered male-dominated, we took the initiative to create the “Innovation Center for Women”.

Our goal is to plan actions to address the under-representation of women in science, to attract more girls to STEM studies and to encourage them to pursue and achieve their goals. We are creating the conditions for equal opportunities in the fields of research and innovation and with the actions of the “Innovation Center for Women” the position of women in science is expected to be significantly improved.

To emphasize that the initiative for the creation of the “Innovation Center for Women” is supported by all ministries, research centers, universities and market players.

– Recently, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the General Secretariat for Demographic and Family Policy and Gender Equality “ran” on social media an information campaign on issues of domestic and gender-based violence, with the central message “Words knives”. Beyond this action, what is the policy grid implemented to eliminate violence against women? Do you think that the existing Network of Structures is sufficient?

– Our Structure Network, with the free SOS Hotline 15900, the 43 Counseling Centers and the 19 Accommodation Hostels is complete, effective and supports every woman victim of violence who addresses it. The scientific staff of the Network is by the side of the women and helps them to escape from the cycle of violence. Our Structure Network provides free psychological, legal support and employment counseling services to all women, while in the Hostels women can stay with their children until they stand on their own two feet.

Ensuring a strong network of protection for victims and creating a culture of zero tolerance for incidents of violence and harassment are our priorities and are reflected in our measures and actions. In addition to the information campaign we carried out on social media, we are planning other actions to inform and raise public awareness on issues of violence and to mention here the creation of the website https://metoogreece.gr/ which informs the interested parties about all the support lines and communication.

Also, to emphasize the fact that our country was one of the first countries to ratify Convention 190 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on sexual harassment in the world of work, while we created an Independent Department in the Labor Inspectorate (SEPE) to monitor the occurrence of violence and harassment at work.

At the same time, we plan to create a Danger Tool for women victims of violence, in order to assess the recurrence rate of violence in their immediate environment as well as a study on the profile of perpetrators of domestic violence.

At the same time we are in close cooperation with the Ministry of Civil Protection and we have proceeded to the training of hundreds of police officers on issues of prevention and combating violence against women and in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Religions we carry out relevant actions in schools across the country to send the message to our children that violence against women and violence in all its forms and abuse in general is not acceptable and that we must all respect human rights.

Source: AMPE

Source: Capital