Equality and diversity

This year’s anniversary of International Women’s Day is dedicated by our Sector to the struggle and vision of women for the promotion of human values in politics, the protection of life and the environment, the establishment of dialogue as the only means of resolving differences, the fight against poverty and exclusion, the fair distribution of wealth, and above all, the transformation of a culture of violence into a culture of peace and respect for all differences—racial, political, and religious. Therefore, we have chosen as our slogan “It’s Time to Live Together with Inspiration and Imagination.”.

Our main purpose and goal is to enrich and expand the scope of the women’s movement by advocating for respect for diversity and the peaceful coexistence of people, at a time when the clouds of war are once again gathering over the Balkans.

For the forces of democratic socialism, and especially for us women, it is our duty to contribute meaningfully to the meeting of the cultures in our region, to create democratic channels of communication and cooperation, and at a time when migration flows are affecting our country, to help build an open and modern Greek society that respects the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all citizens, regardless of social or national origin, gender, race, or religious belief.

As a rapporteur of the European Parliament for balanced participation of women and men in decision-making centers, I have supported the view that the exclusion of women from political decisions is a serious impairment to democracy, a source of poverty, and deprives our countries of the untapped imagination, skills, ideas, and value systems of women. This system prioritizes the protection of life, peace over war, values education, social policy, health, environmental protection, the fight against drug abuse, and the sexual exploitation of women and children, as well as securing dialogue at all levels, promoting reconciliation among peoples, and resolving differences through peaceful means. These are policy areas directly linked to our shared values and the vision of a democratic and just society, with freedom, equality of opportunity, justice, and prosperity for all.

During today’s seminar, the Women’s Sector of PASOK wishes to highlight the importance and value of integrating gender equality into the fight against racism and xenophobia, and to reveal the ways in which gender discrimination intersects with racism. This is why we have carefully selected the speakers, prominent figures from our political life and civil society.

It is a fact that the marginalization of women and discrimination against them, particularly migrant women, can be exacerbated by acts of racism and xenophobia. Similarly, racism can be intensified due to the involvement of gender. Therefore, any strategies aimed at combating racism and creating a modern society in the new multicultural reality must include the gender dimension to be effective.

These issues will be discussed in detail at the UN World Conference on Gender Integration in the Fight Against Racism and Xenophobia, which will take place in late August 2001 in South Africa. It would be particularly helpful, in light of this conference, if our seminar today could lead to some useful conclusions and recommendations.

This week, the discussion on the new immigration law has started in Parliament. At the same time, a dialogue has begun at the EU level for a common European Policy on Asylum and Migration, while Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou is promoting a package of measures aimed at advancing gender equality and combating discrimination based on national origin, race, or gender.

In any case, it seems that ultimately, economic interests and demographic developments will force Europe to view the issue of migrants from a different perspective and to evaluate the positive aspects of multiculturalism. Our common European plans should be based on our shared European humanitarian values, such as equality, freedom, and respect for human rights.

This International Women’s Day, we extend an open invitation to men, urging them to join the fight against discrimination. At the same time, we challenge them to examine and rethink their outdated male identity and the patriarchal system that relies on the illusion of male superiority and female inferiority.

Today, in Europe, and particularly in Scandinavian countries, there is a push for men’s involvement in the issue of gender equality and the promotion of the father’s role within the family. If PASOK wishes to maintain its pioneering and leading role in Greek society, it must have sensitive antennas to capture contemporary messages. One of these messages is the need for peaceful coexistence between the two genders and with people from different cultures.

It’s time to Live TOGETHER with Inspiration and Imagination.