Women’s Voice – Inspiring Female Figures
For International Women’s Month, SDSN Greece & Youth would like to celebrate remarkable women in Greece whose contributions to the sustainability transition are exemplary, inspire younger generations and honour women’s resilience.
On this special occasion, through the interviews of three unique women, each with their own distinct perspectives and experiences, we gathered responses that not only spark meaningful discussions but also encourage us to reflect on the importance of this month and the remarkable women who make it so significant.
Phoebe Koundouri, Professor, Athens University of Economics and Business & Technical University of Denmark, Chair UN SDSN Global Climate Hub, co-chair SDSN Europe and Greece
1.Can you describe one of the biggest obstacles that you faced due to gender inequality and how you overcame it?
A common obstacle for many women in professional environments due to gender inequality is the underestimation of their abilities and skills, leading to fewer opportunities for leadership roles or career advancement. An effective way to overcome this challenge is through advocating for achieving SDG 5, which focuses on gender equality. The achievement of SDG 5 objectives, not only empower individual women but also challenges stereotypes and advocate for systemic change but it also facilitates a more equitable workplace and society, by aligning our efforts with the global commitment to gender equality.
2.Could you highlight some actions you are engaged in to support and empower women in society?
Engaging in actions to support and empower women can take various forms, depending on one’s capacity and platform. For example, this can be done through the creation or participation in mentorship programs to guide young women in their careers, offering advice, support, and networking opportunities. Another form is through supporting community initiatives that focus on women’s education, health, and economic empowerment, helping to build a foundation for their independence and success. Personally, I support these actions through my Professorship in Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) and Denmark’s Technical University (DTU) and my various leadership roles in institutions like Alliance of Excellence for Research and Innovation on Aephoria (AE4RIA), the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and SDSN Global Climate Hub. Furthermore, with my work I advocate for gender equality and raise awareness about the challenges women face through public speaking, social media, and participation in events and panels and I work towards policy change within organizations and governments to ensure equal opportunities, pay equity, and a safe working environment for women. In AE4RIA, we exemplify our commitment to gender equality, with 60% of our 200 researchers being women, demonstrating our dedication to providing equal opportunities, pay equity, and a safe working environment for women.
3. Is there a woman in your field or industry that you admire, and if yes, what do you admire about her?
I cannot single out just one individual. I admire all the everyday women throughout history, regardless of their origin or field, who have overcome the obstacles they were confronted with and managed to maintain a balance between family responsibilities, societal contributions, and achieving excellence in their respective fields. Their strength and dedication not only inspire me but also serve as a proof of the determined spirit of women everywhere.
Rania Assariotaki, Director, Office of Sustainability, The American College of Greece
1.Can you describe one of the biggest obstacles that you faced due to gender inequality and how you overcame it?
The primary challenge I’ve encountered throughout the years revolves around striking a balance between motherhood and my professional life. To this day, the expectation of embodying a “superwoman” persists, a sentiment shared by countless women. Juggling the roles of an ideal housewife, mother, and professional has been a continuous struggle. The sense of guilt lingers, especially when embarking on business trips. This guilt is an enduring companion.
I had to wait until my children were older before actively pursuing career advancement and climbing the hierarchical ladder. I was aware that top managerial positions demand a significant time investment. While unsure if I’ve completely surmounted these challenges, I strive to do so through supportive networks, sharing experiences with fellow women, engaging in mentorship, and drawing inspiration from other successful women navigating similar paths.
2. Could you highlight some actions you are engaged in to support and empower women in society?
In my capacity as a Sustainability Director, woman, and mother, I am committed to continually fostering the support and empowerment of women and young girls. Some of the initiatives I’ve spearheaded include:
- Implementing mentorship programs to connect experienced women with those seeking guidance.
- Advocating for equitable pay and fair treatment in the workplace while pushing for relevant policies.
- Organizing workshops and seminars with a specific focus on women’s leadership and empowerment.
- Forming collaborations with local organizations to reinforce initiatives dedicated to advancing women.
It is crucial and our responsibility to empower the younger generation in challenging stereotypes.
3. Is there a woman in your field or industry that you admire, and if yes, what do you admire about her?
Acknowledging and commemorating the accomplishments of women across diverse fields is crucial. Dr. Jane Goodall serves as an outstanding example in the sustainability domain. Her groundbreaking contributions to primatology and environmental conservation have been a source of inspiration, highlighting the convergence of science, advocacy, and sustainability. Notably, her steadfast commitment to effecting positive environmental change and empowering future generations is commendable.
Yet, my admiration extends beyond figures like Dr. Goodall to encompass every woman, whether they be mothers, friends, colleagues, or business professionals. I appreciate their dynamism coupled with empathy and compassion, recognizing the multifaceted strengths they bring to various aspects of life.
Erika Spagakou, Co-founder of Ecogenia
1.Can you describe one of the biggest obstacles that you faced due to gender inequality and how you overcame it?
As Co-founder of a new non-profit in Greece that puts youth at the helm of climate action, there have been times where our vision, beyond enthusiasm, has also been received with scepticism about the feasibility and application of the model in the Greek market. People sometimes seemed to assume we have not done the math or have not refined our strategy, and that has been challenging especially from a fundraising perspective. I observed that gender seems to plays a role in this, as male leaders are met with more confidence in the founding stage of entrepreneurial endeavours. The way that we and I overcame this challenge was by testing the model in practice and packaging the impact so that we can get more people to back the vision in its initial stages. That goes to show that still today, women have to work more for it!
2. Could you highlight some actions you are engaged in to support and empower women in society?
I take pride in the fact that at Ecogenia female empowerment is a horizontal priority across all our work. In mobilizing youth people in civic service projects, we always ensure to recruit teams that are gender-balanced. In fact, I am happy to report that our pilot projects to-date, including three completed and our upcoming one, have had a very high female participation. In particular, we were very inspired to see a lot of young women apply to serve in our projects in the remote region of Dorida, where we undertook ecotourism and trail-building work, which was intensive and included manual labour. This not only demonstrates the perseverance and resilience of young women in Greece today, but we hope it underlines the importance of cultivating more female leaders in the climate action space
3. Is there a woman in your field or industry that you admire, and if yes, what do you admire about her?
I have had the honour of working with many accomplished women in the fields of sustainable development, climate action and youth empowerment – in Greece and beyond – throughout the course of my career. In building Ecogenia, my Co-founder and I have been very intentional about bringing more female voices to the table with us. From our Board Chairs to programmatic partners and our many female cohort members, we have the honour of working with truly inspiring women who are creating new industry standards and bringing a different and much-needed inclusive leadership style to the Greek third sector. Among them, the woman I admire most and would like to acknowledge here is my Co-founder, Lia Papazoglou, who is the true inspiration behind Ecogenia’s model and one of the most resilient, capable and empathetic leaders I have had the privilege to meet and work with.
Written by Kanakari Katerina and Katsika-Panousi Lydia
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