THE BAN ON Mt. ATHOS	xronos.gr // Newspaper "HRONOS" Komotinis
Interview with Melahrini Martidou	6.6.2003

 

 

Anna Karamanou, the well-known PASOK Euro-MP and Chairwoman of the Committee of Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities, in an interview with "HRONOS".

 

She has said that "it is impossible to make distinctions among the human species and say that men are welcome while women are not", and she insists she is right.

 

We had our chance to talk to Mrs. Karamanou as she was shuttling between airports. She had just returned to Greece in order to speak at an event in Thesaloniki. She will then continue on her tour of the Prefecture of Rodopi, where she will meet women and representatives of the various authorities in Kehros, Organi, in the plains, and in Komotini. Then, she will return to Athens, before leaving for Brussels on Monday, to resume her heavy schedule as Chairwoman of the Committee of Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities and as a Euro-MP known as an  activist in issues of concern to modern society, such as unemployment, new technologies, etc.

 

Energetic, with a definite stance on issues, active in fighting for emancipation and always ready to suggest new, innovative possibilities, Anna Karamanou has come to our region to hear, see and suggest. Her presence here will dominate the coming weekend, and we have heard that her discussions with women promise to open new, pragmatic avenues on a number of issues. We talked about her visit to Komotini, and about the matter she has brought to the public eye – the lifting of the ban on women at Mt. Athos.

 

- Mrs. Karamanou, please tell us about your visit to the mountainous area of Rodopi and the Communities of Kehros and Organi this following weekend.

- I decided to visit your region with my colleagues, and learn first-hand about the problems here, especially women's problems, since in my capacity as Chairwoman of the Committee for Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities of the European Parliament this subject is obviously of particular interest to me. Of course this region of Thrace and Rodopi is fascinating in many other ways too. Its society is multi-cultural and of great interest to a member of the European Parliament. I would like to have direct contact with the people of the region, especially women, in order to talk about the European policy on equality of the sexes but also to learn about the concerns, priorities and demands of the local women. I know that there is an unemployment problem, particularly among women, and that women's education is also a cause of concern. Many women would like to learn the Greek language better, and gain better access to employment opportunities and other developments in the region. I hope it will be an interesting discussion. Primarily, I am here to listen, to learn about the problems. I don't think I can get a full picture in just two days.

- It will certainly be a two-way discourse, both for you and for us. You will also meet the women elected to the local authority of Komotini.

These women know much better than me about the priorities, the problems and the capabilities of the region. I believe there exist many opportunities for social and economic development, but also for strengthening the role of women in the local authorities and in social activity generally.

- Mrs. Karamanou, you have been targeted by the media for your suggestions concerning the ban at Mt. Athos. This matter is no longer in the limelight, but I would like you to remind us of your position, which I think was misinterpreted.

It was not misinterpreted. I still believe that the ban on women visiting Mt. Athos constitutes an extreme case of gender-based discrimination against women, even if it is a long-standing tradition. Tradition however, is not set in stone. When tradition comes into conflict with contemporary views, and especially with respect for the human rights of half the population, then it must be abandoned or revised. In this sense, I believe that having recognised the equality of the two sexes and women's rights, we should lift the ban on visiting Mt. Athos. A dialogue should open with the monastic community. I know they stand by their view, but I believe it is an anachronistic reaction, that has no place in the contemporary world. It is impossible to make distinctions among the human species and say that men are welcome while women are not. At Mt. Athos the monks can receive their fathers, but not the mothers who brought them into the world. I consider it wholly unacceptable. The European Parliament has also issued a related decision.

- What is the position of the European Parliament?

- The European Parliament also believes that the ban must be lifted. I think the issue will be brought again before the Assembly, since a report on human rights is prepared every year and those issues that remain unresolved are raised again and again. These reports are not binding, but they do express the viewpoints of an institutional body of the EU that enjoys widespread prestige. Personally, I believe that the ban will be lifted in the near future, or that women will be allowed to visit on certain days of the year, as also proposed by members of the priesthood. As you know, one priest speaking on TV said that on August 15 at least, Mt. Athos should open its doors to women. Another said that the fact that this ban has been in force for centuries does not mean it will be there forever.

- Isn't it a matter of tradition, based on religious beliefs and principles instituted by imperial decrees (golden bulls)?

Yes, but tradition must never be used as an alibi to curtail women's rights. If I wanted to use an extreme example, I would say that this alibi of tradition was also invoked by the Taliban, who prevented women from enjoying basic human rights and freedoms. Also in the name of tradition, millions of women are sexually mutilated in Africa – a custom that is not derived from any religious text. Similarly, Christian teaching does not provide for special privileges to be given to men or that women should be deprived of the right of access to our cultural and religious heritage, especially when at Mt. Athos there are so many churches, holy relics, treasures, that women are not allowed to enjoy. This is not acceptable in our time, when women become national leaders, prime ministers, ministers of state. The Church should monitor contemporary developments and always be in touch with the social whole - which I don't think it is doing.

- So you do not accept the notion that woman is the carrier of sin and will upset the holiness of Mt. Athos.

- Certainly not. Christ never said anything of the sort. Christ said that no distinctions should be made between Jews and Greeks, freemen and slaves, men and women. Christ first revealed himself to women. He said some very progressive things for his time. Of course, there followed distortions of his teaching and the subjugation of women, reflecting the social and economic conditions of the times. However, the Mt. Athos community was established, and made these rules, 1,000 years ago. Today we live in an era that fully recognises the equal rights and obligations of men and women.

- As the Chairwoman of the Committee for Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities of the European Parliament, do you think you will have more work after the enlargement of the EU?

Yes, much more, but I am not complaining since I enjoy my job very much indeed. It is exciting, interesting work, though demanding. For the chairperson of one of the 17 committees of the European Parliament, 24 hours a day are hardly enough! I want to see changes made in the position of women, in Greece and throughout the world. My committee also intervenes in issues affecting women beyond the EU, including the third world (such as the case of Hafiya Hussein in Nigeria, and now Amina Laoual). We intervene wherever we can to help women.

- There is still a lot to be done of course. Here in Thrace too, half the population faces gender-related problems which you will have the opportunity to assess at first hand.

These are the subjects I want to discuss in the following days. Maybe these problems are more acute in this region because of the religious traditions prevailing here.