Άννα Καραμάνου: “Gender Equality Unites People”

Anna Karamanou studied at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where she earned a degree in Greek and English Philology, a Master’s in European and International Studies, and a Doctorate in Political Science and Public Administration. She worked for 23 years at OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organization), where she also served as General Secretary of the OME-OTE union. As a national expert, she participated in two gender equality policy networks of the European Commission. She served as a Member of the European Parliament (1997-2004), was elected to the Bureau of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (PES), and became Chair of the FEMM Committee (Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) in the European Parliament.
She was awarded the 1999 Ipekci Peace and Friendship Prize for her contribution to Greek-Turkish relations. She is a member of the Hellenic Political Science Association, the Association of Greek Women Scientists, and the Political Association of Women.

She is the author of the books *The Peaceful Uprising of Female Sapiens 1821-2021* (Armos Publications, 2021), *Europe & Women’s Rights – Europeanization in Greece & Turkey* (Papazisis Publications, 2015), and *The Greek Woman in Education and Employment* (OAED, 1984). She has contributed to numerous collective publications and writes regularly for magazines and newspapers.

Interview by
Charitini Malissova

*The Peaceful Uprising of Female Sapiens* is the title of your book, published by Armos Publications. Could you share some details about it?
The purpose of my book is to highlight and integrate feminist struggles, which have often been overlooked by historians, into the 200-year history of the modern Greek state. I deliberately use the term “sapiens,” which means wise, prudent, sensible, knowledgeable human — qualities fundamental to the human species (homo sapiens) and applicable equally to both genders. I wanted to emphasize the humanity of women, whose very personhood was once questioned. The term “uprising” signifies movement (a movement) as well as the dimensions of space and time. Here, it refers to the women’s movement for rights, equality, and dignity. The cause of women’s rights and the theories that underpin it have been the concern and struggle of half the human race — the female sapiens — who had the strength to rise up and challenge male dominance along with the social stereotypes and irrationality that sustain it.

What inspired you to write the book?
Primarily, the national bicentennial anniversary, but also the fact that women’s struggles were either silenced or documented only partially by notable women, focusing on certain periods but without connecting these efforts to the major historical milestones and prominent leaders of modern Greece. My book aims to fill this gap and provide a comprehensive historical and political narrative that includes feminist struggles.

Which of the figures you mention do you admire the most?
Among political leaders, Eleftherios Venizelos—the brilliant Europeanist, mastermind behind Greece’s territorial expansion, and visionary of the Great Idea, an achievable goal in that historical moment if not for the national division sparked by King Constantine that ultimately led to the Asia Minor Catastrophe. Among women, Kallirhoe Parren, the first and most distinguished feminist, teacher, and publisher, who initiated the peaceful revolution of female sapiens in Greece.

Do you dedicate the book to your granddaughter? Is it also a symbolic gesture so that your research remains as a legacy for future generations of Greek women?
Yes, because I would like young women to be inspired by the example of the courageous, mostly uneducated women of the 19th century who began the fight for rights and dignity under harsh conditions of patriarchy and women’s subjugation. I also hope that young scientists will further research and expand on all the aspects of the struggle and the feminist movement’s contribution to modernization, culture, democracy, moral formation, and the progress of Greece.

200 years since the beginning of the Greek Revolution. What do you think women have gained over these years?
She has gained a lot, despite the fact that many adjustments are still needed for full and substantial gender equality, so that Greece will no longer be last in the equality indicators within the EU. The struggle in our country is particularly hard because we live under a regime of strict patriarchy and the survival of countless anachronisms, superstitions, negative symbolism, double standards, and Ottoman remnants. The role of the Church has been particularly negative towards gender equality and justice claims, in contrast to Christian teaching itself. Not even a democratic dialogue is accepted by the hierarchs, with the exception of a few enlightened ones amidst a crowd of fanatics. However, I believe that issues which blatantly violate the principle of gender equality, such as the Monastic Republic of Mount Athos and the exclusion of women from ecclesiastical schools and the priesthood, should be part of the public debate!
Nonetheless, we forced the political system to recognize gender equality as a universal value, to grant constitutional, social, and political rights, new family, criminal, and labor laws, changes in education, laws and structures to combat violence against women, the right to contraception, the decriminalization of abortion, the criminalization of rape both inside and outside of marriage, civil partnership regardless of gender, a number of studies and publications advocating for gender equality, mandatory quotas for businesses, election lists, and centers of decision-making and power. The election of Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the first woman in the highest state office, as the President of the Hellenic Republic, is the culmination of 200 years of persistent feminist struggles, marking further progress.

Throughout your long journey in Greek affairs and the European Parliament, you have been involved and fought for gender equality. What lasting impression did your actions leave on you?
Action always brings some result. It leaves something that accelerates progress. And that is the reward! Especially what I did in the European Parliament gave me great satisfaction. There was cooperation and understanding between people of different nationalities and mindsets! I worked very well not only with European women but also with women from Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan. Common ground always exists through dialogue and cooperation for a shared purpose. Gender equality, with its strong humanitarian character, unites people. Personally, it gives me satisfaction and joy to contribute wherever I can, to pass on my knowledge, to help, and to encourage women to believe in the strength they possess and pursue their dreams, at any age! I am a passionate supporter of lifelong learning and lifelong creativity!

Do you want to comment on the numerous femicides in our country?
The gender power gap, that is, the social construction of male superiority and female devaluation, is the root cause of violence against women and femicides. When this vast power gap is closed in all areas, and both genders equally share all the responsibilities and obligations in both the private and public spheres (50/50), then men will no longer degrade themselves through violent acts against women.

What book have you read recently that impressed you?
I recently read Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari. Wonderful! I read it non-stop!

What value do you consider supreme?
Justice!

What would you advise younger women?
Freedom with virtue and courage! Constant discovery, cultivation of the mind, enrichment, and deepening of knowledge and education. It is the path to happiness! As Aristotle taught…