We need more …scent of women in our parliaments
IMERISIA, 16/11/03

By Anna Karamanou

The report issued by our National Centre for Social Studies (EKKE) on the views and values of the Greek people caused widespread surprise. We really did not expect that such an image of ourselves would make the rounds worldwide. A society of xenophobe, suspicious, cynical citizens, who dismiss politics as a means to humanise society and achieve progress, and trust only in the army, the police and religion – for God's sake!

For those who know however, for those of us who have long been fighting for women's rights, there was no surprise – only sadness. The report comes as a natural sequel to previous findings about racism and xenophobia in Greece (recently we witnessed the embarrassing incident at Mihaniona), and the sad fact that when it comes to women's participation in politics, our country is last-placed not only among the 15 EU members, but also among the 25 members of the new, expanded Europe.

We are therefore aware of our deep conservatism, our clinging to tradition, our inability to welcome something new, innovative, different - or women in politics. For 2,500 years now, the maxim that "the city is its men" still dominates our public life. It is really quite insufferable, fifty years after winning the right to vote and to be elected and over 100 years after starting the struggle for our vote, to be fighting still for the self-evident: That men and women must share equally all the responsibilities and obligations of private and public life, that the future cannot be planned without taking into consideration the views of women, that real democracy requires a balanced representation of the sexes in all institutions and decision-making centres.

Unfortunately, Greece retains its Balkan mentality. Even after 22 years of EU membership. Even as part of the Euro Zone and the European "hard core". Even after having held the best presidency the Europeans have ever witnessed. We have been praised for our economic achievements and other international distinctions. But what about the female half of the Greek people, which performs brilliantly in education and in the job market but is almost invisible in politics?

Perhaps we need a Maastricht here too? Because when words are to no avail, the law must prevail. The mandatory one-third for candidate lists in local authority elections –kudos to Vaso Papandreou for that- doubled the number of women in prefectural and municipal councils, and -for the first time ever- forced mayors, prefects, but also voters, to discover the women in their areas. We are very pleased to note that ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary elections, PASOK's leadership is actively –and this time very enthusiastically- trying to find and showcase women in its lists. It is certain that it will be rewarded. If women reach a certain "critical mass" in parliament, say 100 MPs, they could bring about a rapid change in our male-centric political culture, revitalise public life, and enrich the political agenda with issues that will bring citizens closer to politics.

I wonder, do we need to repeat once again that this issue does not only concern the application in practice of the principle of equality of the sexes, but especially the development of our country and the modernisation of our society? So that in future EKKE's social reports are not nasty surprises…?