Celebrating International Women's Day 2021

March 8^th is International Women’s Day, a global day for celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is also a day when we highlight the continuing fight for female parity and equality not just in our societies, but around the world.

Here at Odyssea, we are wholeheartedly dedicated to helping unemployed, refugee, migrant and otherwise vulnerable women to achieve personal and financial independence and social integration through vocational training and employment. We fight for female parity in our employability practices, urging hiring companies to be inclusive and representative. Over the past three years we have made significant efforts to increase the proportion of women who come through our doors, increasing female representation on our courses by over 85% in the past year. Our goal for 2021 is to ensure that women make up at least 50% of our beneficiaries.

This year, to celebrate International Women’s Day, we spoke to women from our organisation who inspire us – beneficiaries, staff members and friends – to get their thoughts on what it means to be a woman in 2021.

Read the full transcripts of their interviews below and check out (and share!) our posts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn!

ANASTASIA ZISI

Odyssea staff member – Finance Manager

Hi Anastasia, where are you from?

Greece

What does being a woman mean to you?

I grew up in Northern Greece and our town had a lot of persimmon trees. They flourish in the mountainous harsh winter and produce the sweetest of fruits. Being a woman for me is similarly the ability to resiliently flourish against all odds without losing our nurturing essence.

What world do you hope that future generations of women inherit?

A world in which a woman is equally empowered to become the best version of herself. A place where the opportunity is generously given to fail and succeed, a world which doesn’t know the sound of prejudices towards the diverse. A place where it is the norm to discover herself and who she truly is beyond conditioning.

What feelings or thoughts does International Women’s Day create for you?

I do not have a specific day to celebrate in isolation for what it means to be a woman. I wake up every day and fight for all the plethora of forces that inhabit me. Woman’s day is just a reminder towards this for us all.

Which women inspire you and why?

1. Maria Montessori: is a reminder in my non-profit work, that children deserve the best education possible, regardless of their backgrounds or the challenges life has given them.
2. Kamala Harris: is here to shatter the glass ceiling keeping white men squatting on the top tiers of power. She represents hope, validation that women of color can be actors of positive change.
3. Melina Merkouri: brought a fire and passion in all she did, be that working as a talented actor or striving for positive impact though her cultural work. For me she represents the epitome of a Mediterannean woman of elegance, balancing beautifully between a successful career and being an active citizen fighting for pan-european ideals.
4. Jacinda Ardern: is approachable and eloquent, a mother and a politician, warm, intelligent and a true inspiration for us all of how a woman doesn’t need to choose and be limited by one role.

FARANAK MAHROOGHI

Odyssea graduate – Sales Techniques course

Hi Faranak, where are you from?

Iran

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman has a lot of meaning to me. Sometimes it means wearing colourful clothes or some makeup. But it also means being powerful, worthy, valuable, capable, standing up for yourself and being deserving of every sweet thing this world can offer.

What world do you hope that future generations of women inherit?

I hope that we can improve gender equality worldwide. It’s very important that people protect each other and teach themselves how valuable they are, and that men and society accept women’s rights and accept that women are powerful and can do everything the same as men… or maybe more and better!

What feelings or thoughts does International Women’s Day create for you?

To be honest, the day always leaves me with mixed feelings: despite the great strides that the world has made in women’s rights in various ways, for me, it’s also a reminder of how so many women in my country still don’t enjoy our basic human rights.

Which women inspire you, and why?

There are many women that I’ve felt inspired by, especially in Greece. But the women that are the most inspiring to me are my country’s women, brave and extraordinary women who are standing and fighting for women’s rights, taking huge risks and continuing the fight for equality.

SHANICE NTHENYA

Odyssea graduate – Sales Techniques course

Hi Shanice, where are you from?

I was born in Kenya and I’m currently living and studying in Greece.

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman is broad. We are creatures born with excess compassion for our loved ones and we are the caretakers of children and elders in our society.

What world do you hope that future generations of women inherit?

There’s a brighter future for women. Awareness campaigns help women fulfil their potential in the world. I’d like to see more women in businesses, inventing products and giving a great boost to the economy.

What feelings or thoughts does International Women’s Day create for you?

International Women’s Day is a great day because it highlights the numerous projects and achievements women have made so far, and gives women the freedom to express their abilities and skills. Secondly, campaigns which fight for equality help build women’s self-worth.

Which women inspire you, and why?

Oprah Winfrey is my inspiration because our childhood and upbringing have some similarities. I’m also inspired by Lupita Nyongo, a Kenyan actress. She’s a determined lady who is willing to cross all bridges to achieve her goals. They are women of steel who are bold and a great pair in our society. Happy International Women’s day!

HABIBEH KHAVARI

Odyssea graduate – Programming course

Hi Habibeh, where are you from?

I’m from Afghanistan.

What does being a woman mean to you?

‘Being a woman’ means to me to be soft like a cilium and strong like a rock.

What world do you hope that future generations of women inherit?

I wish to see many women in politics because I believe that women can make a beautiful world for everyone in peace. They’ll never ever start a war; I promise you that myself!

Which women inspire you, and why?

My mom inspires me to be a hardworking. She opened a tailoring workshop despite many problems and hardships. And Mother Teresa is a symbol of kindness and hard work for me.

Like and share these women’s stories on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn