POLITIS Cyprus, Women Can Renew Politics

INTERVIEW WITH GREEK MEP ANNA KARAMANOU

“Unacceptable mentality: the prohibition at Mount Athos”

“Women can renew politics…” Greek MEP Anna Karamanou needs no special introduction. She is one of the women who fought and continues to fight for equal opportunities. A fighter, a visionary, with a deep understanding of what she says and supports. In Greece, she is loved. In Europe, she is adored. This is why, as an MEP of PASOK, she was elected President of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee of the European Parliament, a position held for the first time by a Greek woman. With a travel suitcase in hand, she travels two or three times a week to put her vision into action. A united Europe of equal opportunities, democracy, respect, and values… She doesn’t tolerate nonsense. “God created us equal,” she says. “Equal in society, equal in work, equal in worship. The prohibition at Mount Athos reflects unacceptable mentalities and behaviors. The wrong traditions of the past must and will change. The Taliban, in the name of tradition, did what they did…” Happy reading.
What is the role of women in the current European Parliament? Do you still feel that there is any prejudice? Ultimately, are you satisfied with the level of participation?
As for the European Parliament, not at all, the role of women is very creative and very dynamic. 31% of MEPs are women, and they have a very strong presence. I don’t think they feel inferior, although prejudices and stereotypes are still widespread in societies, particularly in the political arena. As for my own parliamentary group (the Socialist group), 37% of MEPs are women. Things are, therefore, much better than in the past, though this does not mean they are ideal.
Are there issues that are considered unsuitable for women to “touch”?
Yes, there are. There are prejudices. It is true that women tend to be more interested in issues related to the quality of life, social welfare, environmental protection, and the protection of life – women are generally more peace-oriented – this is well known. But we also have women who deal with the “tough” issues of politics. The President of the European Parliament’s Economic Committee is a German woman. We also have women who are members of the Foreign Affairs Committee. We had Anna Lindh, who was Sweden’s Foreign Minister. So, women have proven that they can succeed just as well as men in all areas.
A Member of Parliament is said to listen to the concerns of the people and the problems they face and then convey them to Parliament. I suppose an MEP does the same, but on a larger scale? Do they have contact and a relationship with all European citizens?
An MEP has contact with the entire world and can take many initiatives. In the Women’s Rights Committee, of which I am the chair, we have taken initiatives promoting women’s rights in countries like Nigeria, Sudan, Afghanistan, and Iran. We visited these places to see the situation firsthand and made on-the-ground interventions. We freed women who had been imprisoned because they had fled their homes due to the abuse they suffered. In other areas, MEPs take initiatives even on a global scale, concerning developing countries, addressing issues related to conflict resolution in many regions. However, you should bear in mind that the European Council holds the greatest power as an institutional body.
The Cypriot woman today
What is your opinion on Cypriot society and the position that women hold in it today?I have been coming to Cyprus for many years, and I have contact with women’s organizations, and I see with great pleasure a significant change in recent years. It seems that the acceleration of Cyprus’ EU accession process brought great developments in terms of ideas and values. Of course, society still remains largely traditional, and women have not yet found the role they deserve. This is reflected in the small number of women in Parliament, in the Government, and elsewhere. This shows that we still have a long way to go in Cyprus for full gender equality in all areas, but there is progress. The fact that the number of women in Parliament doubled in the last elections shows a trend towards progress. I also see a great evolution in the level of ideas, but also in issues related to nationalism, xenophobia, and racism. However, I see a desire to overcome these views. We must accept that there are no purely national societies anymore. The only way to coexist peacefully is to respect each other. There must be respect for diversity. And there must also be a common system of values. Europe provides this common foundation. It is not just an economic community from which member states benefit economically, but it is also a community of values and ideas.
Certainly, the participation of women in various centers of power in Cyprus does not leave you satisfied… No, it is not satisfactory, and I see that you have incredible women. There is a lot of great female potential that is not being utilized. I believe it is not very smart on the part of the political parties not to take advantage of the female talent they have. Because the only way to renew politics and give it a new dynamic is by utilizing women. Women represent the fresh, the new in politics, and they can rejuvenate politics and society. I am sorry if some have not yet realized this.
Has the encouragement been given to the Cypriot social democrats? Of course, it has been done. As President of the Committee on Equal Rights and Opportunities, I have sent letters to everyone regarding the European elections. We will not accept it, we will react very strongly against countries and parties that will not send women to the European Parliament. Our goal is a balance of genders in politics and everywhere.

What do you know about the Turkish Cypriot woman? I guess things are much worse than they are here, judging by what is happening in Turkey. I am in contact with Turkish women’s organizations and we have exchanged views. The position of women in Turkey is difficult and I imagine here in the occupied territories as well. With Mrs. Akkintzi, who is the president of a large women’s organization in the occupied territories, we were very good friends at the age of 18. I have repeatedly denounced Turkey for honor crimes, rape of women in police stations and so much more.
The inviolable…
One of the main issues that concern you is the inviolability of Mount Athos. I suspect that it became the reason you found yourself targeted by ecclesiastical circles… My point is that when we talk about gender equality we are talking about equality everywhere. Unless some say that equality only concerns some selected areas. Either we are equal men and women, or they come out and say: “Equality only in the labor market, and nowhere else”. It is a fact that the Church is dominated by men. And this is not based on Christian teaching. Undressing is extreme misogyny. That is to say that in a geographical area of 400 square kilometers with 20 monasteries only men are allowed to enter. So what are women? Miasma? And this is what the monks say. So they don’t allow the mothers who gave birth to them to set foot there. Why? Will the manas that gave birth to them pollute the area?
There are monasteries here in Cyprus that have exactly the same mindset… I don’t know that. However, in Greece, I haven’t seen any monastery where we are not allowed to go as visitors. We didn’t say we want to stay overnight there. Are we being honest? Then we must say that some men go to Mount Athos and do tourism. And they stay for a week for free. Free holidays. We are not asking to have free holidays on Athos. We will go with respect for the tradition and our cultural heritage.
Have you found companions in this position and view of yours? Clearly. First of all, among women. Even here in Cyprus. They constantly tell me: “Mrs. Karamanou, don’t give up the fight for the inviolability, because we really want to go.” But I have also found people with an open mind within the church itself. There are many. Of course, they are not the majority, but there are some who are at least open to dialogue.
I imagine some people tell you that you are going against tradition… Tradition cannot be above the laws, international law, and human rights. Because it is those who want to oppress women who invoke tradition. The Taliban invoked tradition in Nigeria when they sentenced a woman to death by stoning, and the same in Sudan. I have said this a million times, and based on that, I fight. We respect traditions that respect human rights. Personally, I have no respect for any tradition that does not respect human rights and women’s rights. We are not going to the private quarters of the monks, nor are we questioning the monks’ right to monastic life. We simply want to have access to our cultural heritage on the same terms and conditions that apply to men.
* Personally, I have no respect for any tradition that does not respect human rights and women’s rights. * Are we being honest? Then we must say that some men go to Mount Athos and do tourism. And they stay for a week for free. Free holidays. * We will not accept it, we will react very strongly against countries and parties that do not send women to the European Parliament.

OF CHRYSANTHOS TSOUROULIS

POLITIS: 17/11/2003 Page: 42
Article code: 395426