PRONIA in collaboration with the Food for Though Network and the Manningham Greek Senior Citizens club celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) on Tuesday 7 March at the Ajani centre in Lower Templestowe.
The event which included lunch, presentations, dancing, discussions and of course good company; began with a minute of silence at the request of club president Dina Androutsopoulou for the victims of the rail disaster in Tempe, Greece.
Following the show of solidarity, Rena Fragioudaki welcomed the Mayor of Manningham, Deidre Diamante who after greeting the audience in Greek, acknowledged the “incredible contribution that Greek Australian women have made in Manningham.”
The Mayor spoke about “the passion and expressiveness of Greek women and their commitment to the promotion and preservation of the Greek language and cultural traditions,” as well as their significant economic contributions and vital role in shaping and enriching the community.
Author Varvara Athanasiou Ioannou, founder of the Food for Thought Network gave a speech dedicated to immigrant mothers and grandmothers “the heroines of the day, the pillars of family and society,” as she put it.
Varvara elaborated on the reasons behind her decision to found the Food for Thought Network 22 years prior, citing the lack at that time of a community organisation designed to systematically address the issues that help and hinder migrant women.
To date the organisation, run solely by volunteers has organised over 200 events to that end.
Mary Sofou, Manager of Family and Community Services at PRONIA, spoke to the institution’s history in caring for the needs of women since the first day its doors opened.
The establishment of a childcare centre and before and after school care programs for instance, alongside marital guidance counselling; which later evolved into counseling catering to single parents who were at times stigmatized by the community.
“Today, PRONIA offers many services that support and help women. Services for the prevention and protection from domestic violence, help and support with a variety of issues women face, even financial support, help with finding a job and housing and much more,” she said.
Dorothy Hatzopoulos, Communications and Community Engagement Officer at PRONIA referred to the current state of gender equality in Australia and Greece in her address to participants.
While Rena Fragioudaki brought the presentations to a close by reminding participants that “International Women’s Day is not a celebration, but a reminder of everything that still needs to be done to achieve equality.”
And on 8 March AGAPI Care held its celebration to mark International Women’s Day at the Olympic Hotel in Preston in an atmosphere which was reportedly “extremely warm and friendly.”
From morning till late afternoon dozens of attendees heard speeches on the significance of the day, with an especially notable topic being the importance of technology and innovation in the promotion of gender equality.
Speakers noted that while technology presents novel ways to expend education and opportunity for women and girls across the world, it can also serve as a platform to reinforce abuse and hate.
“While innovation has the power to transform lives, we know there are still many barriers to equality … the focus on gender equality must be part of the DNA of every society,” Mary Gakopoulou, Managing Director of AGAPI told attendees.
“Creating an inclusive world where all people are treated equally, regardless of race, religion and belief, and giving women the freedom to make choices.”
For Gakopoulou, the solution lies in promoting education, training, confidence building and increased access and control over resources as well as structural reform, “as important tools to empower women and girls to assert their rights.”
“Women! Don’t be afraid to let people know we’re grateful for out struggles. Without them we wouldn’t have discovered out strengths,” she declared in her emphatic conclusion.
Among the day’s speakers was Professor of Immunology and Vice President of the Research Department of Victoria University, Vasso Apostolopoulou.
The internationally recognised scientist shared with those present her experiences childhood bullying, workplace discrimination and the “sad ratio” of 1 woman per 11 men in senior positions, stating that women should be encouraged to apply for such roles.
Prof Apostolopoulou also recognised the important contribution of men as allies supporting women.
“We can collaborate with amazing results,” the professor concluded.
The Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis took to the podium, and while characterizing himself as a “bureaucrat” limited his speech to the contents of a report on gender equality recently released in the European Union.
And finally, former president of Fronditha Care, Jill Taylor-Nikitaki shared her experiences working in male-dominated spaces in various positions of power through her career.
She recalled an instance in the mid-90s, when working as the head of finance for Silver Top Taxi Service; as the first female partner and financial controlled in a completely male-dominated field.
“I remember entering the room where the Board of Directors were meeting. Facing a huge table of men smoking and looking at me with suspicion, announcing that things would have to change… they would have to begin paying taxes.”
“You can imagine the evolution, from that moment I became ‘that woman who’s making us pay taxes’… I had no name, every one called me ‘that woman,’ she recalled: nevertheless, she persevered.
As the day’s event came to a close attendees reluctantly parted ways, with the promise to meet again soon and continue the conversation on gender inequality.
One that will continue for many more years.