Nine women, representing different villages from around the Gouves Township, attended a meeting to discuss problems with which women living in the country are confronted with in their daily lives, as well as local community problems in general.  

The meeting, held last month in the town hall, was organized by three trainee social workers from the Technological Educational Institute, Eleni Tzanakaki, Evyenia Kornilaki and Yiorgos Kalarhakis.

The meeting determined that some of the problems facing women in the villages are the lack of entertainment venues, lighting and side walks on village streets, activity centers for older people, proper public transportation between villages, a public library, and many other facilities and services  which would provide a better way of life.

A basic need which arose at the meeting is for the women of the township to form an association, which would better represent to the local and regional governments the problems that women face.

The women unanimously decided that a second meeting, to further plan the association, will take place Friday, May 9 at 3 pm at the Anglican Church on the old American base.

“All the women in the demos are called to be present,” said Mrs. Tzanakaki.  “The problems only touched upon in the previous meeting will be discussed at length, while it is expected for more problems to surface.”

Francesca Karanikola of Kokkini Hani, a mother of two, said: “This is really needed. There is no meeting point where women can go, have a coffee and discuss their problems.”

When asked what she expects to be accomplished, she said: “I expect some interest from the local administration.”

Marianna Kapantayi, mother of three from Elia, complained about “lack of venues for the children, such as well appointed schools, playgrounds, libraries, a cultural center with computers where children can learn computer skills free of charge, an improved bus schedule between villages, a health center and a center where the older people can find some activities (ΚΑΠΗ).”

Katerina Vitoulathiti, a mother of two from Anopoli, asked for “all women to wake up, show some interest and help face together some common problems in our daily lives, such as drainage, anti-flood studies, the ramps, the quarry, the improving of the old American base etc.”

Other points brought up at the meeting were the fact that although we live in a touristy area, and in season many people don’t come up for breath until October, all other life must not stop. Problems will not simply go away in the summer . . . women are faced with not just an increased work load, but, although their kids are off for summer holidays, they cannot go to a playground for a few hours of fun . . . if a woman from Elia wants to work in Pano Gouves she might as well be working in the planet Venus, unless she can drive herself to work every day . . there are no women help centers to go and talk about her problems to someone who is experiencing the same difficulties.

From left Marianna Kapantayi, Francesca Karanikola and Katerina Vitoulathiti

“Women of the Gouves Demos Unite!” was the message that rang out from the meeting. “But first, we must go to the second meeting on May 9 . . . we probably have to suffer some inconvenience and adjust our schedule, or maybe run around more than usual, but at the end it will be worth it.”