As an eighteen-year-old, a young woman and a student in my last year of secondary education, I have grown up in a society that makes me aware of the need to achieve equality between men and women. It is a fundamental human right that must be won for the sake of social justice.

Gender inequalities remain strong in many areas including the workplace, the economy at large, political representation and social status. In terms of work, women are paid on average 15% less than men in Greece.

Moreover, while 22% of married women with children earn less than their partners, this earning disparity falls to 7% among single women. This translates to an overall economic gender gap of 13%, which increases to 25% for pensions.

Economic inequality is, of course, a global phenomenon. As is the under-representation of women in the political arena, which is also deeply concerning. Only 30.5% of senior ministerial posts in the EU are held by women, while seven out of ten members of national parliaments are male. This limits women’s ability to influence the policies that impact on their rights and needs.

The position of women in Greek politics also a matter for concern.

Despite the progress made in recent years, their participation in decision-making centers remains limited.

Having experienced Greek society writ small during my school years, the time has now come for me to go out into society proper as an adult. I want to believe that other young girls identify with my need to wish for a better tomorrow.

A tomorrow in which I will not be afraid to walk alone; a tomorrow in which I will not fear injustice or that my future will be determined by my gender, not my abilities. I don’t know what’s waiting for me out there, but I don’t intend to stop believing in something better, and doing what I can every day to achieve it.

That’s why I try to motivate those around me to support the need for real equality between the sexes in their daily lives, too, as far as they can. This is something I also raised with the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Nicolae Ștefănuță, during our recent visit. In expectation of suitable answers…

This article was originally published in the insert “The European BHMA” published with “TO BHMA on Sunday” on 11 May 2025.