Women’s Day Greece
Women’s Right to Vote in Greece
May 28, (1952)
Number of female heads of state to date: 1
The women’s right to vote in Greece has a complex history intertwined with the country’s political developments and social changes. Greece granted women the right to vote relatively late compared to some other European countries.
Women’s suffrage became a topic of discussion in Greece during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The women’s movement in Greece, inspired by international feminist movements, began advocating for equal rights, including the right to vote and participate in the democratic process.
In 1926, Greece passed a law that granted women the right to vote, but with certain limitations. Women over the age of 30, who were educated or married to educated men, were allowed to vote. However, it wasn’t until 1952 that women gained full suffrage on equal terms with men.
The delay in granting full suffrage to women in Greece can be attributed to various factors, including political instability, the impact of World War II, and the conservative social and cultural attitudes prevalent at the time. Additionally, Greece’s transition from a monarchy to a republic in 1974 further contributed to the advancement of women’s rights and political participation.
Since gaining the right to vote, women in Greece have participated actively in political processes. Women have held prominent positions in Greek politics, including serving as members of parliament, government ministers, and even as the country’s president.
Despite progress, gender disparities and underrepresentation of women in politics still persist in Greece. Efforts have been made to address these challenges and promote gender equality. Political parties, civil society organizations, and women’s rights advocates continue to work towards increasing women’s political representation, empowering women in decision-making roles, and raising awareness about gender equality issues.
It is important to note that women’s right to vote is just one aspect of gender equality. Achieving gender equality requires addressing broader social, cultural, and economic factors that influence women’s empowerment and participation in all areas of society.
The women’s right to vote in Greece represents a significant step in the country’s journey toward gender equality and political inclusion. It reflects the ongoing efforts to promote women’s rights, equal opportunities, and the recognition of women’s voices in shaping Greece’s democratic future.
UN Women
Constitution of Greece 1975, as amended to 2019
> constitutions.unwomen.org/greece
President Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou
Katerina Sakellaropoulou (Greek: Κατερίνα Σακελλαροπούλου, born 30 May 1956) is a Greek politician who has served as President of Greece since 13 March 2020. She was elected by the Hellenic Parliament to succeed Prokopis Pavlopoulos on 22 January 2020. Prior to her election as President of Greece, Sakellaropoulou served as President of the Council of State, the highest administrative court of Greece. She is the first female President of Greece. Since Greece declared its independence in 1821 no woman has been elected as the Head of State.
> Katerina Sakellaropoulou: first-elect female President of the Hellenic Republic
> presidency.gr/en/president
Vote to Woman
On 28 May 1952, Greek women obtained the right to vote and stand as candidates in legislative and municipal elections.
For decades and after many struggles, women managed to obtain the right to vote in elections long after many European countries.
“Greeks are equal before the law,” as defined in the first Constitution of Greece, in article 3, in 1844, without referring to women, who did not obtain their political rights despite their great contribution to the struggle for independence from the Ottoman yoke.
Until the mid 20’s, it was granted that only men had the right to vote. One can see the dominant conception in the excerpt of the newspaper Nea Imera (New Day) on 20 March,1928: “Every woman is in an imbalanced and furious spiritual condition certain days per month… New and accurate surveys show that not only certain days, but during the whole month, all females are in spiritual and emotional imbalance…”
“Consequently, women voting is a dangerous thing and so repulsive.”
The slogan “Vote to Woman” was heard in Greece for the first time in 1887, by the newspaper Efimerida ton Kyrion (Ladies Newspaper), published by Kallirrhoe Siganou-Parren. The newspaper’s writers were exclusively women defending their rights.
› greece.greekreporter.com/greece-marks-61-years-after-suffrage
Kalliroi Siganou-Parren: Women’s Rights Champion from Crete
What you might not realize is that the freedoms Greek women enjoy only recently came about. The dowry system was banned in 1983, that’s in your lifetime. Greek women earned the right to vote in 1952, almost 40 years after the women in the US. Arranged marriage still happens in Greece and Cyprus, and even in the US.
In patriarchy oppressed Crete, where the “extreme” men have taboos of engaging in “female” domestic work such as cleaning up after their meal for fear of losing their masculinity, a forward-thinking woman rose up to champion the rights of women. You have never heard of her, Kalliroi Parren, but this is her story.
> wikipedia.org/Kalliroi_Parren
Lyceum Club of Greek Women
The Lykeion ton Hellenidon (Lyceum Club of Greek Women) was founded in 1911 by Callirrhoe Siganou-Parren, a pioneer of the feminist movement in Greece and the country’s first woman journalist. It is a volunteer organization, which, in the 103 years of its existence, has played an active and important role in the preservation and presentation of Greek cultural traditions and folk customs. Not less important has been the Club’s social contribution, especially in the domain of adult education for women and the defence of women’s rights.
Today it maintains its dynamic presence in Greek society thanks to the voluntary service of its many dedicated members in Athens, in its 51 Branches all over Greece and in its 16 Bureaus abroad. The latter are particularly appreciated by the Greeks of the Diaspora, who see in the Lykeion a living link with the land of their origin and a “treasurer” of their ethnic traditions and cultural heritage.
> lykeionellinidon.gr
Greece legalises same-sex marriage, adoption
Feb 15, 2024 – Greece’s parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly adopted a bill legalising same-sex marriage and adoption in a landmark reform promoted by the conservative government despite opposition from the powerful Orthodox Church.
> france24.com/greece-set-to-legalise-same-sex-marriage-adoption