Anna Karamanu: The “Peaceful Uprising of Female Sapiens”
ANNA KARAMANOU IN CONVERSATION WITH YOULI ILIOPOULOU
Anna Karamanou, a woman who managed to combine motherhood with a high level of education and service to society. Her journey began in Pyrgos.
Former MEP of PASOK (1997–2004), former Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, PhD in Political Science and Public Administration from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
At the heart of her interests and actions are social and international policy, lifelong education, gender equality, and human rights.
Her life goal, as she confides, is to inspire as many women as possible to engage in public affairs and take on leadership roles, emphasizing that we need applied equality policies and more female representation in parliament, public administration, decision-making centers, and, why not, even the presidency.
On the occasion of the release of her new book, the author speaks to the newspaper “Patris” about women’s rights, the changes over the years, and her personal struggles for these rights, while also sharing her future plans with us.
You have fought for gender equality and women’s rights.
Your starting point was Pyrgos. When did you first begin to have feminist “concerns”? What inspired/sensitized you?
I was born into the post-civil war, traditional society of Pyrgos. From a very young age, I felt firsthand what it meant to experience gender-based discrimination and a double standard in evaluations. Even within my own family, my brother, two years younger than I, enjoyed more privileges and freedoms than I did. I became fully aware of this unequal treatment between genders when, after primary school, boys and girls were sent to separate schools. Social expectations were also different; for girls, the future was nearly predetermined: family and children. I had feminist concerns from a young age, and I voiced them when I became involved in unions and politics—two spheres particularly tough and hostile toward women. Since the 1970s, during the post-dictatorship era, I identified with the political struggle for women’s rights and the democracy of equality.
Has the versatility that characterizes you left you unsatisfied in any area? Is there something you would like to pursue but haven’t managed to do so?
Yes. Since my childhood, I have loved painting and music very much. They used to say that I had talent. Unfortunately, both of these passions remained unfulfilled. Life took me in a different direction… Our choices are usually dictated by the circumstances of our lives. I wish I had dedicated more time to my family, to my daughter and my three granddaughters. Politics constantly requires sacrifices, and I dedicated countless hours in the effort for a better and more just world.
What do you consider today to be the biggest issue for women?
The origin of all gender inequalities, and certainly of violence against women, is the unequal distribution of power and political influence between men and women. Historically, there has been a system of male privileges and absolute patriarchy, which arbitrarily used the biological differences between genders to subjugate women. The fact that women give birth and breastfeed was used as a justification for intellectual inferiority and subordination. This was further supported by patriarchal myths, superstitions, and religions. Even today, despite the progress made, particularly in the meritocratic field of education, many still deny the equal value of male and female sapiens and view gender equality as a zero-sum game. Hence, the rise in violence against women and femicides: you are a woman, so you must submit to male authority. Otherwise, I will take your life! This has become a specific category of criminal offense.
Being a woman in public life. How difficult is it?
The results of the last triple elections in 2019 are very revealing regarding the position of women in the political system and public life. The three electoral contests turned out to be yet another difficult historical moment for the representation of women in political institutions. The results were disappointing! The numbers are telling: For Local Government, a minimum quota of 40% for both genders was applied for the first time in the formation of electoral lists for the election of councilors (Law 4604/2019, Article 52). The quota did not apply to the election of the mayor. A total of 1,455 men and only 180 women ran for the office, i.e., 88% men and 11% women. In 199 municipalities out of 332 overall, there was no female candidate for mayor, meaning in 60% of the municipalities. In the end, of the 332 elected mayors, only 19 are women and 313 are men, which means 5.7% female mayors compared to 94.3% male mayors!
In the elections for the European Parliament, out of the 21 seats that Greece holds, women secured 5 seats (23.8%) compared to 16 seats held by men (76.2%). In the parliamentary elections of July 7th, 2019, 62 women were elected, representing only 20.7% of the total 300 members of the Greek Parliament. These figures reveal the enormous gap between the genders and highlight the tough, ongoing struggle for women, a journey that is far from over. My book analyzes these issues in depth. Unfortunately, we are at the bottom of the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) rankings.
Your new book just came out. Tell us a few words.
My book records the major historical milestones over the course of 200 years, along with the often-overlooked struggles of women that historians have largely ignored. It is unique in its category because it offers comprehensive, concise historical insight.
What plans do you have for the future? What is the next step?
To continue writing and sharing the knowledge I have gained from my extensive political journey, especially on issues of democracy, human rights, international relations, and gender equality. My next book will focus on the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic in 1923 by Kemal Atatürk, and the role of women, based on research I have already conducted and continue to expand, to include the latest political developments.
THE NEW BOOK OF ANNA KARAMANOU
Anna Karamanou’s new book has just been published, and it is unique in its category. It chronicles the beginnings and evolution of feminist struggles within the framework of the major historical events of the past 200 years. This is a fascinating journey, starting from the Revolution of 1821 and ending with the pandemic and the MeToo movement in 2021.
Amidst the clamor of politics and historical events, we witness the peaceful uprising of female sapiens, who, under the banner of universal values, claim their fundamental human rights and gender justice.
It’s an easy read, because it is structured in short chapters and written in smooth, modern Greek. Complete with 13 key conclusions!
You can buy it right now from: www.armosbooks.gr