18th of July 2012
PRESS RELEASE
On the occasion of the announcement of the new Secretary General for Gender Equality, Zetta Makri, the outgoing Secretary General for Gender Equality, Maria Stratigaki, expresses her best wishes for the continuation of actions for the promotion of gender equality and the fulfillment of the “National Programme for Substantive Gender Equality 2010-2013” (see Midterm Progress Report on Gender Equality, November 2009 – June 2012 http://www.isotita.gr/en/index.php/news/317).
During these 2½ years and after significant difficulties, bureaucratic and other ones, and in the period of the Greek economic crisis, the main program of the General Secretariat for Gender Equality is implemented –the establishment and operation of 60 Counselling Centres and Shelters for battered women– by the General Secretariat for Gender Equality and 44 municipalities of the country. The funding of the above projects has been approved by National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013 (NSRF).
The hotline SOS 15900 and 4 Counselling Centres in Athens, Patra, Heraklion and Lamia are already in operation, while the rest of the support structures will operate in few months, as well as the Shelters of the Greek Municipalities.
The new Secretary General, given her background as a lawyer, will surely promote effectively the 3 Drafting Bills on Gender Equality Issues prepared by Legislative Drafting Committees in order to:
- Combat violence against women.
- Promote substantive gender equality.
- Amend the provisions of Family Law [and especially regarding equal treatment of Greek Muslim Women via the abolition of the outdated provisions of Islamic law (Sharia)].
Since November 2009, the equality between women and men was significantly promoted through arts and culture, gender mainstreaming into all public policies, particularly at local level, and participation of women in decision-making.
I wish every success in the effort for promoting Gender Equality issues, for women’s benefit, especially during this period that women are more vulnerable and are mostly affected by the crisis.
