AGAPI Care celebrated International Women’s Day on Tuesday 8 March 2022, at Normanby House in Thornbury with an event attended by politicians, community organisation representatives and members of the wider community, among them several people with disabilities.
The purpose of the event was to celebrate women, regardless of where they come from, and remind them that they are powerful. Focusing on honouring women’s cultural, political and social economical achievements AGAPI Care’s aim was also to raise awareness on the struggles that many women have faced throughout the years and are still facing.
Chief Operating Officer, Mrs Ange Pilipasidis opened the event, thanking everyone who attended and supports this cause followed by an address by Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Mary Gakopoulos. Celebrating the 111th anniversary of International Women’s Day.
Mrs Gakopoulos reminded guests that AGAPI Care has since 1987 supported more than 2000 people with disabilities and added that during the last two years the Emergency Relief Team has offered food and mental health support to those in need. She continued saying that equality between females and males is not a gender problem but in reality, an economic problem.
“Women should share their stories, their achievements and their struggles to help other women see that they are not alone,” Mrs Gakopoulos said.
Reminding everyone that AGAPI Care is run by two powerful females, Mrs Mary Gakopoulos and Mrs Ange Pilipasidis, President Mr Arthur Evriniadis continued by saying that AGAPI Care only hires people on their abilities and doesn’t discriminate against sex, beliefs, religion, ethnicity and so on.
Mr Evriniadis also highlighted the importance of educating our kids on equality saying that “the way that men treat females as adults depends on the values and education they had when they were boys”.
Veteran Greek journalist, Mrs Rena Frangioudakis said that “Women’s Day is a day of reference in life, birth and duration and is a day of honour and the woman is the body that maintains and preserves it”.
Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis, mentioned in his speech that women have gone a long way in the last 111 years.
“Women have gained positions in the fields of property, labour, education and participation in the exercise of power.”
He added, however, that “we must not forget that women’s rights are human rights and that both women and men are human beings and should not be discriminated against.”
One of the most moving speeches of the day, was given by the Chief Operating Officer of AGAPI Care, Mrs. Ange Pilipasidis, who told the story of a woman who was in an abusive relationship for several years until she managed to escape and come to Australia in order to provide a better life for herself and her son.
“We should continue to educate our children and grandchildren that women are equal to men and only then can we say that we have created a world of which we are proud,” she said.
“Powerful, confident, invisible, unstoppable, are key words describing all women!”
Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Mary Gakopoulos. Photo: Supplied
Chair of the Multicultural Committee, Ms Vivienne Nguyen said that the Greek community was the first to embrace other cultures in Victoria. Ms Vivienne Nguyen said that she wanted to pay tribute to all the women before us who gave such a great fight for us to be able to live the way we live today. She then thanked AGAPI Care for the great work that they do in embracing different cultures and new social groups as well as providing support to vulnerable people.
Mrs Ged Kearney MP, thanked AGAPI Care for the wonderful work they do and said that she is proud that AGAPI Care is in her electorate. She then mentioned to the audience that at every meeting for people with disabilities that she attends, the CEO of AGAPI Care is always there to defend people with disabilities and all those who do not have a voice. Moreover, Mrs Kearney noted that it is mainly women that either work in the field of care or become carers.
She also committed to ensure that everyone can afford child care, problems in aged care are fixed, and that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is funded properly so that “people with disabilities can get the care they need when they need it and have a respectful life” should she get elected.
Finally, Erica Higgins, Communications Officer at Indigenous Radio Station 3KND 1503ΑΜ, spoke about the difficulties and discrimination that Aboriginal women have faced over the years and mentioned the importance of equality, acceptance of all, and education for all, as a prerequisite to move forward and have prosperity.
After the heartfelt speeches, the esteemed guests and members of the community enjoyed music and dancing.
