They joined forces to promote and highlight issues of human rights, gender equality, combating gender-based violence, harassment and multiple discrimination the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family and Fixed Transport SA. with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation.

The Memorandum of Cooperation, which marks the start of a series of joint actions and initiatives against violence and inequalities, was signed at an event held today, on International Women’s Day, at the Dukissis Placentias Metro station, by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport , responsible for Transport Christina Alexopoulou, the Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Maria-Alexandra Kefala and the managing director of STA.SY Athanassios Kottaras, in the presence of the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Staikouras and the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zaharakis and the President of STA.SY., Haris Damascus.

In the near future, the Metro will host an information campaign entitled “Harassment / Gender-based violence is not ok”, which will urge citizens not to remain silent in incidents of harassment and gender-based violence and to report them.

“It is the duty of the State and of each of us to work hard to highlight the problems faced by women. To support their constant struggle and to stand against phenomena such as gender-based violence and harassment, which, despite any legislative regulations and other essential initiatives in modern societies, are still frequent. For all these reasons we are taking action. This Memorandum of Cooperation constitutes a strong partnership for the planning and implementation of information and awareness-raising activities regarding issues of human rights, gender equality and dealing with violence and multi-level discrimination against women” said the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport in his greeting , Christos Staikouras.

For her part, the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofias Zaharaki, pointed out that “”As a State and as a society we must stand against any form of discrimination. Next to those who suffer discrimination, violence, prejudice and exclusion. Protecting people and rights. We want this message to reach every day everywhere. Loud and persistent, to as many recipients as possible. We sincerely thank the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the STASY for the cooperation”.

The Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, in charge of Transport, Christina Alexopoulou said “With the phenomena of gender-based violence and harassment expanding in all areas, we are obliged to see how these can be dealt with in the means we use for our movements. There are statistics of high harassment of women and in the Means of Transport in cities around the world. Our goal, the more and more vigilance efforts of all of us on this issue, but also at the same time the provision of substantial help in case of need and strengthening the sense of security of women. If we really want to achieve gender equality in the urban environment, it must stop finally harassment is seen as part of a normal life for girls and women. It doesn’t take superhuman efforts for anyone to protect a woman in such a situation. Even a simple question about how they are doing can be of great help and, at the same time, add a little stone to changing a more general mindset.

Today, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport with the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family and Fixed Transportation is establishing a partnership, through the Memorandum, which will contribute decisively to the fight against gender-based violence and harassment in public transport areas. Happy birthday today to all to women, Happy Birthday every day with the wish that the phenomena of violence and harassment will be annihilated everywhere and that the Memorandum of Cooperation will become the starting point for achieving this goal.”

The Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Maria-Alexandra Kefala, emphasized “International Women’s Day is not a day of wishes, but of reflection, for the daily and continuous struggles that women fight for equal rights and equal treatment. After all, in a modern society, where the position of women is constantly evolving, we, as a state, have to stand by every day of the year. The Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the “STA.SY. A.E.”, proceeds – after the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation – in an awareness and awakening campaign in the public space, promoting the message against gender-based violence and discrimination and sending an even louder message in favor of equality. The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation, today, on International Women’s Day, was not accidental but a highly symbolic choice for women’s inalienable rights to equality, opportunities and life itself. I want to thank the Ministry of Infrastructure and STA.SY. for the kind cooperation. Finally, I would like to wish a happy birthday to all women, but much more, I wish that we succeed, all together, in creating those conditions that will bring about the universal progress of our society, far from any outdated concept that holds us back” .

Finally, the managing director, Athanasios Kottaras pointed out “At Fixed Communications we recognize our responsibility towards society and citizens and we give a step to actions aimed at raising awareness and awakening”. He added: “The stations and trains of our networks become a ‘vehicle’ for the transmission of messages and ideas with a positive sign on a number of current social issues.”