ATHENS — "This year, March 8 is very different and doubly important because it is the first International Women's Day after the Greek #metoo. A wound that has finally brought to the fore and at the same time an opportunity for healing," stated Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday, in a social media post about International Women's Day.

"The loud voice that broke the guilty silence is only the start. It must be followed by boldness from the state and maturity in society. This is the path that Greece now follows," he added.

He underlined that nobody can question the steps taken to promote gender equality but, at the same time, everyone "is aware of how far away we still are from the moment when all women in Greece will start from the same position, have the same opportunities and attain the same goals. Alongside them, every citizen: in education, at work, in the family, in positions of responsibility and in every manifestation of life."

Especially at this time, Mitstotakis added, "our thoughts are with the 'invisible' heroines of the pandemic: the nurses and the girls at the supermarket counters, the cleaners and those working in the civil protection. But also with the teachers who are fight the battle of distance education."

"Government and state are acting and communities have an obligation to demand but that is not enough. More is needed. First and foremost, the setting of a personal example that then becomes collective, so that correct legislation becomes established in practice through daily acts of justice and mutual respect. In this way, a small step by every person will lead to a giant leap for the country," concluded Mitsotakis.