Technology for the benefit of women

The Hellenic Professionals Informatics Society announces the launch of the Program “Active Women: Technology for the benefit of women” which is part of the Operational Program ‘Administrative Reform 2007-2013’ and is managed by the Coordination, Managing and Implementation Authority for Co-funded Actions of the Greek Ministry of Interior.

The Program is focused on providing basic ICT skills to underprivileged people in order to eliminate digital illiteracy, tackle the issue of their marginalization or social exclusion, promote gender equality and enhance the social and professional status of women. The above goals will be achieved through the training of more than 200 women in basic ICT skills which will improve their adaptability and employability in the job market.

The beneficiaries of this program are women over 50 years old, immigrants, and refugees living in the greater area of Athens who have never used a PC or laptop. During the two-year action plan, a conference will be organized in partnership with the European Center for Women and Technology (ECWT) with the aim of introducing the outcomes of this project as well as sharing best practices that could be implemented in Greece by NGOs and women associations.

‘The ICT sector plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic integration and improvement of the quality of life of disadvantaged population groups. We are particularly delighted to have the chance to contribute towards this direction through the Operational Program Administrative Reform 2007-2013’ stated Mr. Nikos Faldamis, President of HEPIS.

ECWT Director, Eva Fabry stressed that ‘ECWT is delighted to see and support the initiative of HEPIS aimed at diminishing the digital skills gap in Greece through the ‘Active Women’ project as our experiences from several countries around Europe confirm ( Lithuania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Turkey, UK, Sweden to mention some which can act as good examples) that ICT can play a key role in unleashing women’s potentials and increasing their employability. To make a major impact on the economic growth of Greece this initiative needs to be considered together with other initiatives and ongoing projects, like HEPIS’s Getbusy.gr and the multi-stakeholder plans that will be presented during the Gender diversity and the Grand Coalition for Jobs EU Presidency conference that will take place 4 April in Athens.’