NEW YORK – European Union of Women (EUW) Greek Section President, Aphrodite Bletas, Vice President Evi Tatoulis and EUW Youth Committee President Alinda Papasinou-Bletas on March 14 visited the offices of The National Herald and spoke about the goals of the United Nations 62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
The session, March 12-23, is considered one of the largest meetings on women’s issues and equality.
Mrs. Blettas explained that she is not part of the delegation from Greece but is a member of the European Union Women International Board delegation which consists of three Greek women, three French women, and two British women.
Asked about the issues of the 62nd Session, she pointed out that there are two. “The first is about women’s emancipation in rural areas. I think it is an issue that, although addressed to women in third world countries, also concerns Greece, because our country has been a rural country and it is very important to see how we can help the female farmer to find her place and to achieve equality in her professional and social life.
“The second issue concerns the woman as a journalist, her position in the press, and her safety, the ability to reach leadership positions in the field of printed and electronic journalism. Both issues are very attractive and we have collected interesting facts, because you have to expand your horizons and see the rest of the world, so that you can discover that you are not the center of the world.”
Alinda Papasinou-Bletas, referring to youth issues, said, “Youth is trying to change things and it takes time. Today, the new generation has more means to know what is happening to the rest of the world, and the more you learn, the more you are so troubled. Each country has its own problems. The Youth Committee started in our country and we are trying to build similar committees across Europe. ”
Evi Tatoulis spoke about her family’s ties with the Omogeneia and TNH, noting that, “The relationship with the newspaper is timeless and a family tradition that I have the pleasure to honor. For us Greeks in Greece the fact that you are there and keeping us in touch with greater Greece is always a happy circumstance. We are trying to be present.”
Referring to the Session, she said, “Greece should never be absent from any international forum. We must be present and organized and the European Union of Women is moving in this direction. It is a very important moment that we are here. We are already thinking about how our presence in the future will be more efficient.”
Tatoulis said she would like to have “meetings with the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce and the other organizations in order to be able to understand the pulse of the community.”
Asked about the situation in the homeland, she said that “as a working woman, mother, and politician, I must emphasize that we must stop crying about things that are already solved by our own history.
“Greece is too small when you close it on its own border. But it is very great when you think how many Greeks live and thrive in every corner of the planet. I think that the Greek state must radically change its thinking and instead of lamenting for all those who are leaving we have to fight in one direction and offer to this homeland what is often wanting.”
Asked about the #MeToo movement, Bletas pointed out that the conditions in Greece are different, “The Greek psychology is different and what in America would be considered abuse in Greece would be considered a flirtation. The way we see things is not always the same.”
As far as domestic violence issues are concerned, she noted that “issues of domestic violence are very serious, which have in recent years either increased or become more widely reported. It is an area in which, as a state and society, we need to take action directly and effectively.”
Regarding the Personal Data Protection Act, which is preventing the creation of a database of those who have committed crimes against women, Bletas said, “Greece is a member of the European Union and many areas, including that of personal data are not dependent on Greek, but on European law.”
She added, “Needless to say that European law has changed and the Personal Data Act will be enforced in all European countries on May 24th and is much tougher in terms of data protection. So possibly some should not be protected.”
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