ELEFTHEROTYPIA, New Maastricht for the participation of women in public affairs

ANNA KARAMANOU: The MEP of PASOK believes that women have won many battles, but… “New Maastricht for the participation of women in public affairs”
By OLGAS BAKOMAROU	29. 12. 2003

On one of her “weekend” trips to Greece, I met PASOK MEP Anna Karamanou, president of the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality, devoted to what her high-ranking title today signifies since her youthful years. With a dynamic presence in Brussels, an indefatigable traveler where the tragedy of women continues, despite proclamations and grand words, from Europe’s trafficking to Afghanistan’s burkas and to Africa’s mutilations and stonings… In an era where not only women’s rights but also those of other persecuted and impoverished groups, as well as of us “civilized” ones, are being tested. Anna Karamanou is in favor of criminalizing prostitution services, finding the connection of 2004 with such networks unacceptable – How do you explain this crisis?
“There has always been a crisis; it’s just that today the media bring violations to the surface, while on the other hand, people now have higher demands for a better quality of life. However, there has also been progress – Europe, compared to other regions of the planet, is a paradise. Both in terms of prosperity, democracy, and peace, and regarding human rights. Although, as revealed by the relevant annual report of the European Parliament, there are also many violations and omissions.”

– What are the most notable ones?
“The behavior of law enforcement towards prisoners. Racism and xenophobia towards immigrants. Violations of the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees. The dramatic reduction in the granting of asylum. Of course, the greatest violations are against foreigners, but after September 11th, we are all treated as potential terrorists. For example, the biometric passports, which the U.S. is pushing for, and the EU has decided to comply. No one will be able to travel to America from 2004 without such a passport.”

– Do you believe there is any validity to the “explanation” they give?
“None at all. Such measures cannot prevent terrorism; on the contrary, they create conditions worse than those of the Cold War. Terrorism is the boogeyman, the real or imaginary threat that can lead to police states and puts the citizen under suspicion. I feel insulted when they tell me ‘for your safety,’ crossing certain boundaries. Even in the European Parliament, security checks have intensified, and even we can’t pass without our electronic card.”

– Let’s focus a bit on women’s rights, which is the focus of your political action. First of all, what do you think, did women ultimately win or lose by “leaving the house”?
“Of course, she won. In human dignity, economic independence, a sense of her personal worth… Of course, new roles have been added to the old ones, and here I wouldn’t disagree that there is an injustice towards women, but it doesn’t ultimately tip the balance against her. And this is because, while the economic burdens were shared for the benefit of men, there was no redistribution of responsibilities within the family.”

– What is to blame for this?
“The attachment, both by men and women, to stereotypes. And one way to overcome them is women’s participation in politics and decision-making centers. Unfortunately, we are the last of the last among the 25 EU countries in this regard, trapped in a completely male-centered system. Where the atmosphere towards women who want to pursue a career, to participate in politics, is not even friendly.”
-There is a “myth” that men are afraid of these women…

“They are afraid of them because every position a woman takes, a man loses. That’s why political parties don’t encourage them to enter Parliament or even Local Government. Or in trade unions, where women are invisible. I believe we need a new Maastricht when it comes to women’s participation in public affairs. The fact that Sweden has both good democracy, prosperity, peace, and environmental protection is also due to the 45.5% presence of women in Parliament and the fact that there are as many female ministers as male ones.”

– How did the Swedes get to this point?
“With a gentleman’s and lady’s agreement that they would share power fairly. For me, this system is better than quotas, which, despite objections, also open a path. But the ‘gentleman’s agreement’ requires an advanced society.”

– What image of our society does the latest European report conducted by EKKE give you?
“It gives the image of a claustrophobic, conservative society, tied to traditions. We are not open to the new, which is why currents of modern thought always reach Greece late. At least they eventually arrive.”

– Have you sought the causes?
“It is due, I think, to the fact that we are far from the major centers of Europe and closer to the Middle East, from which we receive very significant influences. On the other hand, the Church has not played a modernizing role in society, nor is it concerned with the problems of the people. We can see this in its latest dispute with the Patriarchate, where the struggle is not for spiritual matters, but for secular power and imposition. I believe, as I do for the Parliament, that the entry of women into positions of responsibility in the Church will contribute to its healing and the renewal of our spiritual life.”

– Do you mean that women should also become priests?
“Of course, I have supported it. Because there is nothing that women cannot do. And this exclusion is insulting and humiliating. In Denmark, for example, there are now more female priests than male ones, who actually attract a larger number of worshippers to the churches. We also have in Greece distinguished women who could take on this role.”

– Your strong reaction to your position on the abolition of the Athos monastic state’s inviolability does not seem to discourage you…

“That the European Parliament has aligned itself twice with my view – which I had officially and in writing expressed, since 1999, to both the Archbishop and the Patriarch – justifies me. The reaction you mention is due to our inability to accept any new idea or proposal. Instead of thinking calmly and logically, we shout. I do not accept that all traditions must be perpetuated. There are traditions that cannot have a place in modern societies.” – Shall we tear everything down, then?
“When they clash so violently with fundamental human rights, in this case the rights of women, who are half of the Earth’s population, of course. As well as Muslim headscarves. On this issue, I agree with Chirac, that religious symbols have no place in schools.”

– Do you like to challenge?
“No. I’m all for right reason. After all, this is all extreme misogyny. They have nothing to do with Christian tradition and teaching. Christ cannot have blessed only men as the proper sex. And the Church cannot, on the one hand, bless motherhood and, on the other hand, belittle women and condemn them to the role of observers.”
– Are you also in favor of the conscription of women, as Mr. Pangalos requested?
“I am against compulsory conscription for both men and women. And it is pleasant that in Greece, military service is being reduced and the army is becoming professional, as in all EU countries. For such an army, I am in favor of free choice, whether it concerns men or women.”

– From your side, what have you contributed to women?
“I don’t see it on a personal level. Simply, by joining forces with other women, I helped in raising awareness and boosting their self-esteem and self-confidence, and I placed a small stone in the cause of gaining respect from others towards them. All women on the planet should understand that nothing falls from the sky. Beyond Europe, my greatest concern is the drama of women in the rest of the world.”
– Like?
“Like the millions of women who are sexually mutilated or stoned… Those who are forced to follow their husbands to death… The women of Afghanistan or Iraq, who are even afraid of their own shadow… The women who feel unwanted from the moment they are born… I am bothered by the indifference of the leaders of developed countries to this misery, the unequal, unjust, and horrific treatment of women.”
– Are the problems in Europe solved?
“No. There is the issue of violence, particularly domestic violence, which spans all social classes without distinction and is responsible, according to the UN, for more deaths of women than cancer. Another major problem we face is the trafficking of women and children, for the purpose of sexual exploitation, the infamous ‘trafficking.’ Around 700,000 women, mostly from Eastern countries and developing countries, are trafficked into Europe today in this peculiar slave trade, which, along with violence, is the most repulsive violation of women’s fundamental human rights.”
– How do you view the “new regulations” for brothels, still pending, in light of the upcoming Olympic Games?
“I consider any attempt to promote and facilitate prostitution unacceptable. On this issue, I declare myself Swedish, meaning I support the criminalization of the purchase of sexual services. It is tragic to link the Olympic Games with the increase in the turnover of human trafficking rings.”

– The issue everyone is discussing today in Greece is the change of leadership in PASOK…
“The initiatives belong to the prime minister. From there on, if this change implies promoting Costas Simitis to a top European position – an excellent honor not only for him, but for Greece as well – I am in favor.”

– Only for that?
“No, of course not. But also because, in the current context, I believe the best ‘scenario’ for the party, the country, and Europe is Simitis as President of the Commission and Papandreou as President of PASOK and Prime Minister. Moreover, I equally respect both of them; they belong to the same school of political thought. Let’s not forget that thanks to them, our country gained recognition in the modern world, and the Greek presidency was considered the most successful in the EU. And this reflects on our work there as well.”

– Will you be in the next European Parliament?
“That does not depend on me, but I would like to be. I still have some things to offer in a field where I feel that it accepts me as well.”

ELEFTHEROTYPIA – 29/12/2003