Women Forward Summit in Athens highlights equality, leadership and the future of work

The Women Forward Summit, held under the auspices of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), concluded successfully at the Athens Concert Hall, bringing together more than 600 participants and 36 speakers from politics, business, European institutions, academia and civil society.

Discussions focused on gender equality, social cohesion, the democratic functioning of institutions and the role of women in shaping the country’s economic and social future.

Among the speakers was Melina Travlou, president of the Union of Greek Shipowners and head of the Neptune Group of Companies. Speaking during the panel “Institutions, Leadership and Equality in a Changing World”, she pointed to the persistent expectations placed on women.

“Even today, women are expected to fulfil many roles simultaneously — mother, spouse and professional — and to succeed in all of them,” she said. “The paradox is that women are judged for each of these roles, while men are not. And this discrimination often begins within the family and the stereotypes passed on to children from a very young age.”

Travlou also reflected on her personal career in the traditionally male-dominated shipping industry. “I entered shipping at a very young age and was often treated as an exception,” she said. “But I never saw myself as anything different. I simply work in a field I love and try to do my best.”

She stressed that changing mindsets remains crucial, particularly at sea. “There should be no distinction between men and women when we talk about skills and professional value. What is needed is equal opportunities and equal trust,” she said.

Drawing a symbolic comparison, Travlou added that the strength of shipping and the strength of women share something in common: “Both need to become more visible. When they are, their contribution to the economy and society becomes more visible as well.”

She concluded by expressing the hope that one day society would move beyond celebrating a separate day for women. “I hope we live to see the day when there will no longer be a Women’s Day, but simply a People’s Day.”

The summit also featured remarks from Spyros Theodoropoulos, president of the board of the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises, who emphasized the need to dismantle stereotypes that continue to limit women’s opportunities.

“We still carry many stereotypes about what it means to be an ‘industrialist’, a ‘shipowner’ or even what a woman’s role in society is,” he said. “They are weakening, but they still exist. Progress is real, but it requires the combined effort of society, the state and women themselves.”

He also highlighted the importance of education, arguing that it should go beyond basic literacy and focus on shaping values. “Women are equal to men. This must be something we pass on to our children,” he said.

Former President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou also addressed the summit, noting that women in high office often face scrutiny unrelated to their work.

“When a woman occupies such a position for the first time, attention often focuses on issues unrelated to the substance of her work,” she said. “This shows that stereotypes have not disappeared. Enormous progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go.”

Earlier in the day, a panel on “Social Policy for Real Life in Greece” examined the role of public policy in strengthening equality in the workplace and in society. The discussion featured Niki Kerameus, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs; Domna Michailidou, Minister of Social Cohesion and Family; and Anna Diamantopoulou, president of the NETWORK for Reform in Greece and Europe and former European commissioner. The panel was moderated by journalist Vasiliki Siouti.

Kerameus highlighted recent improvements in women’s participation in the labour market, as well as policies aimed at strengthening female employment and supporting working mothers.

Michailidou stressed that addressing Greece’s demographic challenge requires a comprehensive approach. “Demographics are a multifactorial equation,” she said. “The goal is to make starting a family more feasible, more comfortable and ultimately more attractive.”

Diamantopoulou underlined the importance of building a comprehensive care infrastructure. “If we set clear targets and a timetable for care services from birth to old age, we can transform the prospects for women and for the country,” she said.

The summit concluded with a shared message: meaningful progress on gender equality requires coordinated public policies, strong institutions and business leadership capable of turning commitments into measurable change in the workplace and in society.