International Women’s Day is a global event highlighting the contribution of women to culture, politics, and society as a whole. The United Nations began celebrating Women’s Day in 1975 and, in 1977, encouraged all its member states to recognize March 8 as International Women’s Day.
This global day is of great significance and should not be regarded merely as symbolic. According to the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), an independent body of the European Union, it is estimated that, at the current pace of women’s empowerment, it will take approximately three generations to achieve gender equality within the EU (for more information, click here). Furthermore, Greece ranks lowest among EU member states in achieving gender equality, with a score of 52.5 out of 100 on the Gender Equality Index (GEI), falling 15.5 points below the EU average (for a more detailed presentation, click here). The GEI is composed of six key areas and 39 indicators.
Considering these factors, Get Involved decided to ask its female partners to share their views and ideas on the following issues:

• The role of women in science.
• The role of women in the labor market.
• The role of women in society.

Below is a brief presentation of their responses:

Regarding women’s role in society, all our female partners highlighted the daily challenges women face in balancing their multiple roles and responsibilities. Additionally, Cleoniki and Panagiota addressed the critical issue of domestic violence as a form of social pathology affecting women, which has become more evident during the pandemic. They stressed the need for further legislative action to eliminate such behavior. Moreover, they focused on motherhood and the unequal distribution of family duties in cohabitation. Despite these concerns, they optimistically noted the gradual integration of women into society, particularly in Western cultures, where women now play a significant role. Today, women actively participate in social processes, openly express their views, and influence decision-making.

Equally noteworthy is the increasing presence of women in science. In some fields, such as law, women’s roles are gradually being strengthened, although inequalities persist in others. Specifically, Maria pointed out that the landscape is changing, and the “glass ceiling” that previously existed seems to be cracking, with women now holding prominent academic positions. Maryhari emphasized the significant contribution of women in advancing legal science, noting that female legal professionals are now active participants in legal forums, hold key positions, and engage in legal debates. Statistics also show that in Greece, women dominate the judicial sector, and although the legal profession remains male-dominated, considerable progress has been made toward equal treatment of female lawyers. However, Marina noted the underrepresentation of women in the economy and STEM fields.

Finally, the issue of women in the workforce cannot be overlooked. While women are gradually rising to senior positions, unequal treatment in the workplace persists. Erykiti and Nicoletta observed that although women are increasingly entering higher-ranking positions, there is still room for improvement, as unequal professional opportunities remain in various industries. Additionally, Vicky highlighted the gender pay gap and pointed out that workplace conditions are not always favorable for women. All these points underscore the need to encourage and strengthen the presence of women in the workforce while striving to eliminate behaviors that hinder the professional lives of female employees.