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KARAMANOU: The PASOK Euro MP believes women have gained a lot, but... |
Newspaper "ELEFTHEROTYPIA" |
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By OLGA BAKOMAROU |
29.
12. 2003 |
I met Anna Karamanou during one of her "weekend trips" around Greece. Mrs. Karamanou is European Parliament member for PASOK, and chairwoman of the Women's' Rights and Equal Opportunities Committee of the European Parliament. She has been dedicated to serving the ideals embodied in her office since her youth.
A dynamic presence in Brussels, a tireless traveller to places where the tragedy of women persists despite all the declarations and grand speeches: trafficking in Europe, burkhas in Afghanistan, stonings and mutilations in Africa... This is an era in which the rights not only of women but also of other groups of human beings, whether oppressed and degraded or "developed" like ourselves, are in doubt.
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Mrs. Karamanou is in favour of criminalizing the purchase of sexual services, and considers unacceptable any link between prostitution and the 2004 Olympic Games |
- How do you explain the current crisis?
- There has always been a crisis. What is happening now is firstly, that the media are bringing human rights violations to the public eye, and secondly, that people demand a higher quality of life. There has been some progress. Europe is a paradise compared to other places on earth as regards prosperity, democracy, peace, and yes, human rights. Though the annual report of the European Parliament also reveals a large number of violations and omissions.
- Such as?
- The behaviour of law enforcement officers towards detainees. Many instances of racism and xenophobia towards immigrants.Violations of the Geneva Convention of 1951 regarding treatment of refugees. Most violations are recorded against foreign nationals, but after September 11 we are all treated as potential terrorists. An example is the "biometric" passport which the US is lobbying for, and with which the EU has decided to comply. As of 2004 no one can travel to the USA without such a passport.
- Do you believe there is any foundation in the justifications offered?
- None at all. Such measures can not prevent terrorist activity; on the contrary, they create conditions that are worse than those of the cold war. Terrorism has become the great bogey - a real or imagined threat that can lead to police states and undermine citizens' rights. Personally, I am offended when I am told that certain measures, often exceeding reasonable limits, are intended "for your safety". In the European Parliament too, security has increased. Even we MPs can not enter without our special electronic ID card.
- Let us talk about women's' rights, a field on which you have focused your political activities. The first question is: Do you believe that women have gained or lost ground by "coming out of the house"?
- There is no question that they have gained enormously. Their position is now far better as regards human dignity, financial independence, belief in one's own value… Of course the old roles are still present, and I would agree that women are suffering an injustice here – though not an injustice so grave as to negate the advantages. Certainly, financial responsibilities have been reallocated in favour of men, while family and household responsibilities have not been reallocated at all.
- Why?
- The main reason is that both men and women cling to the old stereotypes. One way to overcome such stereotypes is to have women in politics and in decision-making centres. Sadly, we are in the last place among the 25 member-states of the EU as to this, trapped in a completely male-centric system. The attitude towards women who wish to embark on an ambitious career or enter politics is not even friendly.
- There is a "myth", to the effect that men are afraid of such women...
- They are indeed, because each position filled by a woman is lost for a man. That is why the parties do not encourage women to enter Parliament or even Local Authority councils. In trade unions there are practically no women at all. I believe we need a new Maastricht to promote the participation of women in public affairs. Sweden enjoys excellent democratic institutions, prosperity, peace, protection of the environment. This can also be attributed to the strong presence of women, who account for 45.5% of the seats in Parliament. There are as many female ministers as there are male.
- So how did the Swedes do it?
- It was an agreement between ladies and gentlemen, that they would share power equally. In my view, this system is even better than a quota system, which despite the objections also helps improve the situation. But such a "gentleman's agreement" is only possible in an advanced society.
- What is your impression of the "social profile" of Greece that emerged from EKKE's report on Europe?
- The profile of a claustrophobic, conservative society, clinging to tradition. We are not open to new ideas – the reason why the main currents of contemporary thinking always arrive late in Greece. At least they get here eventually.
- Have you thought about the causes?
- I think it is because we are a long way from the major European centres and closer to the Middle East, from which we receive strong influences. The Church has not assumed a modernising role in society and is not interested in peoples' every-day problems. A recent example is its dispute with the Patriarchate, in which the struggle is not about any spiritual issue but about secular concerns of power and dominance. I believe, that as with Parliament, women should assume positions of responsibility in the Church too, and contribute to its reform and to a revitalisation of our spiritual life.
- You mean there should be women priests?
- Of course. I have supported this view, because there is nothing that women can not do as well as men. Such an exclusion is insulting and humiliating. In Denmark for example, there are currently more women priests than men, and what's more they are attracting larger numbers of the faithful. In Greece too, we have women who are eminently capable of taking up this role.
- It seems that the fierce opposition generated by your views about abolishing the ban on women at Mount Athos has not disconcerted you…
- I feel justified by the fact that the European Parliament has twice adopted my view, which I had submitted, formally and in writing, to the Archbishop and the Patriarch in 1999. The opposition you refer to is due to our inability to accept any new idea or proposal. Instead of thinking rationally, we cry out in rage. I do not accept the idea that all traditions must remain forever unchanged. There are traditions that can not have a place in a modern society.
- Do away with everything then?
- When there is such an irreconcilable conflict with basic human rights -in this case those of women, i.e. half the world's population- certainly yes. The same goes for Islamic attire. In this I agree with Chirac. Religious symbols have no place in schools.
- Do you enjoy provoking the status quo?
- No. I am in favour of rational dialogue. In any case, all this is extreme misogynism. It has nothing to do with Christian tradition and teaching. Christ cannot have blessed only men as the chosen sex. And the Church cannot bless maternity, and at the same time disparage women and condemn them to the role of observer.
- Are you in favour of military service for women, as proposed by Mr. Pangalos?
- I am against compulsory military service for both men and women. Happily, military service in Greece is being reduced and the army is becoming more of a professional corps, as in all EU member-states. In a professional army, I am in favour of free choice, whether it concerns a man or a woman.
- What have you done for women?
- I do not consider this on a personal basis. By simply joining forces with other women I have helped in making women think and reinforcing their self-confidence and self-appreciation, adding perhaps a tiny bit to the cause of gaining respect for women from all sides. All women on this planet must realize that nothing is ever given out as a free gift. Besides Europe, my main concern is the dramatic situation of women in other parts of the world.
- Such as?
- Such as the millions of women who are sexually mutilated or stoned to death… The women who are made to follow their husbands in death… The women in Afghanistan or Iraq who are afraid of their own shadow… The women that feel they are unwanted from the moment they are born… I am bothered by the indifference shown by the leaders of developed countries towards this unfair and repugnant treatment of women.
- Have we solved all such problems in Europe?
- No. There is physical violence, mainly inside the family. It is a phenomenon occurring across all social classes, and is responsible, according to the UN, for many deaths of women because of cancer. Another big problem is the trafficking of women and children with the intention of sexual exploitation. This slave market affects approx. 700,000 women, mainly from eastern Europe and the developing world. Along with physical violence against women, it is one of the most repulsive violations of women's human rights
- How do you see our own, still uncertain, "new regulations" on prostitution, ahead of the Olympic Games?
- I consider unacceptable any move that would reinforce and facilitate prostitution. In this matter I believe the Swedes are absolutely right, and that the purchase of sexual services should be criminalized. It is tragically sad to link the Olympic Games with the increased turnover that prostitution networks expect.
- It seems these days that the only topic of discussion in Greece is the change of leadership in PASOK…
- The initiative lies with the Prime Minister. Besides that, if such a change means that Kostas Simitis will be appointed to a leading European office –a great honour, not only for him, but for Greece as well- I am in favour.
- Only in this case?
- Of course not. But at this point in time, I believe that the best possible scenario for the party, for Greece, and for Europe, is Simitis as President of the Commission, and Papandreou as President of PASOK and Prime Minister. I have great esteem for both men – they belong to the same school of political thought. We should not forget that it is because of them that our country has acquired a presence in the modern world, and the Greek presidency of the EU was considered so successful. This also reflects on our work there.
- Will you be a member in the next European Parliament?
- It does not depend on me, but I would like to. I still have much to offer to this forum, that I feel has accepted me.