On Friday, 8 March 2024, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias attended an event in honour of Women’s Day, organised by the Hellenic Army General Staff, at “Major D. Kamberos” hall.
The event was also attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Ioannis Kefalogiannis, the Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Maria – Alexandra Kefala, the Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief of Hellenic Army General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, the Chief of Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras HN, and the Chief of Hellenic Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant General (HAF) Dimosthenis Grigoriadis, female officers and non-commissioned officers of the Armed Forces, as well as delegations of female cadets of the Armed Forces military academies.
The event was graced by the presence of the actor Kariofyllia Karambeti, who read out extracts of texts about womanhood, selected by songwriter Lina Nikolakopoulou, also present at the event.
Within the framework of the event, Mr. Dendias, accompanied by Ms. Kefala, recognised two female cadets from the Hellenic Corps Officers Military Academy, for their distinctions in academic performance and social contribution respectively.
During his address, the Minister of National Defence stated:
“Deputy Ministers, Chief of Hellenic National Defence General Staff, dear Chiefs, Ms. Nikolakopoulou, Ms. Karambeti, we thank you for your attendance here today to celebrate Women’s Day.
Firstly, I would kindly ask you to make allowance, as I mentioned on my way in, for my different dress approach. I assumed that, by removing my tie I abandon one of the bastions of masculinity”.
Mr. Dendias, subsequently, stated, among others:
“I have repeatedly stated that, both the government, and I personally, and I think the majority of Greek society, believe in a citizens’ Army. They put great trust in a citizen in arms.
Of course, Chiefs, the core will always be the professional part of our worthy cadres of the Armed Forces. Both on the ideological plane, but I would also like to address the numerical factor. We are facing a threat from a country that is considerably more heavily populated that us. By mid-century it will approach or exceed 100 million, while we remain at 11-12 million. Simple numerical considerations mandate a citizens’ army. As does the ideological belief that an armed citizen defends his homeland, his ideals, and his hearth. It has always been a trait of Hellenism since the era of city states. In fact, the exhibition in Athens on the monument of Chaeroneia and the namesake Battle brings its importance to mind.
When, therefore we talk of a citizens’ army, it is absurd to exclude one half of the population therefrom.
It would be like the Greek population halving to 5.5 million instead of its 11 million, or it could be the opposite. With the contribution of our female population we are no longer 11.5 million, we become 22 million. You will notice that female participation in the Turkish army is a mere 0.3 %, compared to our very good percent.
The legislation on the matter exists. You saw it on the chart. It is a 1977 bill, which goes to show how far-sighted Evangelos Averoff and the Administration of the time were.
The question is, how to materialise this provision for the voluntary – I emphasise voluntary so as not to be misconstrued – enlistment of women.
During the next few weeks, together with the leadership of the Armed Forces we will present you with an initial plan. On how we can utilize the human capital of our country in the best possible manner, not only at the cadres’ level, but also at the level of voluntary enlistment of women. Starting with female reserve officers with specific duties, who will serve for specified lengths of time, and gradually expanding to wider swathes of the female population who wish to wear this honourable and beautiful uniform as you do. And have the great opportunity, in my opinion, of serving our country’s Armed Forces.”
Concluding, the Minister of National Defence stated:
“I wish you good health. Keep morale high. You represent a greater value and you will allow me to state that you should be proud of that. Thank you”.
On her part, Ms. Kefala stated in her address:
“Minister, Deputy Minister, Chiefs, honourable officers of the Armed Forces, ladies and gentlemen.
I am particularly joyful and proud to be here, among so many worthy women serving in the Armed Forces. Also, on account of International Women’s Day, which should not be a day of wishful thinking, but of considering women’s struggles throughout the year for equal treatment and equal opportunity.
And, while many steps have been taken in the right direction, women’s position has changed, and our country has already moved up 3 positions on the European Index at the European Institute for Gender Equality, we still have much more to do, in order to achieve actual equality.
The Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family has gender equality as its priority, as well as equal opportunities for all people, so they can flourish, be able to pursue their dreams, and achieve what they want and love.
Our task lays in two directions
Firstly, towards combatting discriminations, stereotypes, and everything which holds us back, not only as women, but as a society. For, we should not forget that, in order to flourish, a society needs all its human potential. And women constitute about half of the population.
The second direction is in highlighting positive examples, of exemplary women who succeed in sectors they are interested in, and are not exclusively male-dominated, despite being considered so until now.
One such sector are the Armed Forces. It makes me very glad to realise that we have one of the higher percentages of female servicemen in NATO countries.
I would like to conclude with a wish. May the day come soon when we have no further need of celebrating International Women’s Day, nor any need for percentages on ballots, Mr. Minister.
I wish you well, thank you very much”.
