“The creation of the Innovation Center for Women, the OAED business grant programs with emphasis on women, the second business opportunity program for victims of domestic violence, the awarding of the Equality Label to businesses, are some of the actions implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs , in order to support women’s work and entrepreneurship “.
The above was stated by the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, responsible for Demographic Policy and the Family, Maria Syregela, speaking in Parliament, at the Special Standing Committee on Equality, Youth and Human Rights, on “The effects of the pandemic on women’s business.”
“At the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, we believe that the coveted gender equality goes through work, because we believe that without the equal participation of women there can be no real development, no real social justice and no real democracy. “That is why women’s work and entrepreneurship are at the top of our agenda,” she said.
According to Ms. Syregela, the pandemic hit the global labor market and especially women, however, the Greek State was on everyone’s side and implemented the largest and most massive program to support workers and the unemployed that has been adopted in recent years.
“With measures, such as the coverage of insurance contributions by EFKA, suspension of contracts with payment of special purpose compensation for employees in companies that were closed or significantly affected by the pandemic, actions of OAED, but also the programs of the current NSRF 2014-2020, implemented “from the ministry, etc., we reacted immediately and decisively and stood by thousands of employees and the unemployed,” said the deputy minister.
At the same time, Ms. Syregela noted that the harmonization of family and professional life is a priority and is reflected in the measures of the new National Action Plan for Gender Equality 2021-2025, which will be presented shortly.
Specifically, in axis 3, for the equal participation of women in the labor market, the strengthening of women’s employment is particularly favored, with the most important intervention being the “Neighborhood Nanny” program.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Elissavet Vozemberg, MEP-Vice-Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), also addressed the meeting, with Christina Fytea, Chair Of Women Entrepreneurship of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Maria Pittaki, President of the Commercial Department of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sofia Efraimoglou, President of the National Chamber Network of Greek Women Entrepreneurs, Helina Ma co-founder of “Women Act” and Ioanna Dretta, CEO of “Marketing Greece”.
SOURCE: AMNA
