Event for the European Diversity Month at the Greek Embassy promoting the campaign for women's economic independence.

On Thursday 30 May, the Embassy of Greece in Bucharest, the Greek-Romanian Bilateral Chamber of Commerce - HRCC and the "Solidarity and Equality Association - Asociația Solidaritate și Egalitate" organized an event at the Embassy building in the framework of the "We Are Half" campaign to increase the participation of women in the productive process.

Inclusion and elimination of inequalities in the labour market are key priorities not only in Romania, but also in the whole European Union.  Reducing gender inequalities is a topical issue that is being addressed in all Member States during May, celebrating the "European Diversity Month" and this was the key message of the event.

More than 130 women and men, holding key positions in different sectors, business, public administration, media, women's organisations, etc., gathered at the Greek Embassy in Bucharest to discuss solutions by which Romania can overcome the penultimate position in the EU in terms of gender equality, according to the latest report of the European Institute for Gender Equality.

The event was introduced by Ambassador Lili Evangelia Grammatika, with the participation of keynote speakers Daniela Palade Teodorescu, Co-Founder of Asociația Solidaritate și Egalitate, Journalist, and Activist - Mihaela Tudor, Founder of Asociația Solidaritate și Egalitate and  Entrepreneur - Estera Anghelescu, Recruiting & Employer Branding Director, A.C.C.E.S. Program, Coordinator at Kaufland Romania - Danae Stambouli, Scientific Director at Cytogenomic Medical Laboratory - Raluca Popescu, Executive Vice President Corporate UniCredit Bank Romania - and Effie Valsamaki, Business Owner of Dirent Group & Callist Cosmetics.

The organization was part of the #WeAreHalf campaign, launched last year, which includes the "National Equality Caravan" and the traveling exhibition "Nominate an Extraordinary Woman", which encourages women to speak publicly about their achievements.

The main partner of the campaign was Kaufland Romania, while other partners of the event were TUDOR Communications, EximBank, Unicredit Bank, Aqua Carpatica, Domeniile Sâmburești, Silhouette Medical Beauty, ND Medhealth, Golden Foods, Atlasul cu Petale, Olympus Foods Romania, Coca Cola HBC, Dr. Max Romania, Mediaterannea Neofytos Vasiliou and the Union of Greeks in Romania.

Introducing the event, Ambassador Lili Evangelia Grammatika stressed the following:
"Lobbying and putting pressure on the authorities to adopt and implement measures to protect women against violence goes hand in hand with encouraging and empowering them to promote and participate in active roles in society. It is also important to educate the entire population, from school onwards, to promote gender equality and combat stereotypes. Women actively participate and contribute in society and are at the forefront of technology and business entrepreneurship. We have women in administration and in important positions and in government, but not enough. There are half of us, but this is still not well reflected. So it is really very important to organise such events and to give a voice to inspirational women, who can act as role models and inspire other women".

96% of educated women in the urban areas believe that gender equality does not exist in Romania. And 48% say they have been victims of direct discrimination at work or at home, were the main findings of a survey conducted last year by the association.

"We are in this situation because we are not united, we do not support, promote and encourage each other. Only united can we make a difference, first and foremost for the future of our children. It is an inspiration to see how our neighbouring country, Greece, already has a president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, a powerful symbol of what women can achieve when obstacles are broken down. Gender equality is not just a goal, it is a necessity. It is a fundamental right that benefits everyone - women and men. By supporting each other, promoting each other's successes and standing together, we can create a world where gender does not determine everyone's potential and opportunities," underlined Mihaela Raluca Tudor, founder of the Solidarity and Equality Association and CEO of TUDOR Communications.

“Last year, for the first time, the number of women in CEO roles at Fortune 500 companies exceeded 10%. It's still a small percentage, but it shows us a positive trend. I am proud to be a woman and always have been, as every woman should be! And I would like to instill that sense of pride in other women, because we need more confidence in our abilities. I am glad that I have been able to positively impact people's lives through the programs I have developed during my career, I carry with me this pride and gratitude for those who have supported me and continue to support me in my mission to make society a just place. To those who choose to evaluate me for my abilities and not my gender. I am confident that future generations will strive to carry these values and further transform them from aspirations to reality," said Ms. Estera Anghelescu, Director Recruiting & Employer Branding, Kaufland Romania.

On the impact of the increased participation of women in the labour market, the Greek speakers who participated at our invitation stressed the following:

"Gender stereotypes are also perpetuated by the mentality and the way women are educated. It is a message that we need to do more to ensure that women play a more important role in businesses and even in their own families. We need to help make gender equality a reality for the next generation," said Ms Efi Valsamaki, CEO of Dirent Group and Kallist Cosmetics.

The impact of women entering the labour market is not only beneficial economically, but also for the development of the next generation, explained Danae Stamboulis, Scientific Director of CytoGenomic Medical Laboratory: "Women represent half of the world's population and are the most important factor for the development of the next generation. When we enter the production process, the result is an increased workforce with a direct impact on the economy. When women have the same opportunities as men, families and societies are better off because women reinvest a large part of their wages and incomes in their own families, in their children's education and health care. Women are leading and educating the next generation of the world, who could thus escape extreme poverty."

Key highlights of the event were also the following:
α) There is real progress, both globally and in Romanian society - where the initiatives of some companies are starting to produce visible results.
b) When discussing women's roles, we still face prejudices, which are shaped by our education and society.
c) They reflect the reality we live in, but fortunately things are starting to change

d) Positive transformation is taking place.
Things are moving forward, slowly but surely, but for progress to be sustainable, women's support and participation is vital. "Ten years ago, when I went to international meetings in Italy, in 100 people, there were no more than five women. Things have changed for the better, there are more and more of us. Women in Romania have always had the power to find a way to make a living, and today we also have access to information. Today we have the power to support each other, either directly or through the association. Today we have the power to decide and participate and it is our responsibility to make a difference," said Ms. Raluca Popescu,  Executive Vice President Corporate UniCredit Bank Romania.

e) The role of education in achieving the goals of gender equality is essential for their realisation, it was emphasised in conclusion. Its impact is massive, long-term, said Ms. Daniela Palade Teodorescu, journalist and co-founder of the Solidarity and Equality Association: "Why is it important for women to have access to education? When you educate a woman, you educate the whole community around her. Although our society has not reached the prosperity of the countries whose quality of life we so desperately desire, I know that this is the right direction. We aspire to their attitudes, their education, their prosperity, but we forget to relate these realities to the representation of women in parliament and in decision-making institutions."

The event was also attended by: the Representative of the Romanian Presidency, Sandra Pralong, the women Ambassadors of Albania, Austria and Sweden, as well as representatives of other embassies (Germany, the Netherlands). The embassy was also decorated with photographic portraits of women in managerial roles, representing the institutions involved in this campaign.

It is worth noting that the event received special attention from the Romanian Media, contributing to increased visibility of the Greek diplomatic mission in Romania.