Equity and Anti-discrimination Committee

The Equity and Anti-discrimination Committee of the Athena Research Center was first established in 2021 as a Gender Equality Committee, in accordance with the provisions of Law 4604/2019 on the integration of the principle of gender equality and gender perspective in public policies, and in line with the recommendations of the European Institute for Gender Equality. Under the provisions of Law 5019/2023 (Article 58), which made the creation of such committees in Research Centers and Institutes mandatory, the Committee was given a defined operational framework and expanded responsibilities that encompass matters of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

 

The Committee serves as an advisory body to the Board of Directors and other governing bodies of Athena R.C. Its mission is to promote gender equality and combat discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, health/disability status, age, or sexual orientation, at all levels of operation and in all processes and activities of the research and technological institutions. The Committee contributes to the prevention and management of all forms of discrimination, particularly gender-based discrimination, as well as to the prevention and management of sexual harassment and any form of harassing behavior within the organization.

 

a) It drafts action plans to promote and ensure equity and to combat discrimination and social exclusion in the research, educational, and administrative processes of the organisation.

b) It proposes to the relevant bodies measures to promote equity and combat discrimination and exclusion, as well as to address sexual harassment and all forms of harassing behavior.

c) It monitors the implementation of the above measures and their outcomes and recommends their amendment, revision, or supplementation.

d) It provides information and training to members of the research community on issues related to gender equality and the fight against all forms of discrimination and exclusion, as well as the prevention and management of sexual harassment and any kind of harassing behavior.

e) It promotes the organization of seminars and lectures and supports the organisation’s participation in research activities focused on gender studies, combating discrimination and exclusion, addressing sexual harassment and all forms of harassing behavior in the research space, and the need to incorporate gender-specific considerations into the design and implementation of research, in the promotion of innovation, and in shaping an inclusive research and work environment within the organisation.

f) It promotes the drafting of studies and research on topics relevant to its area of responsibility.

g) It contributes to the development of mechanisms for the reception, recording, and management of reports and complaints regarding incidents of discriminatory treatment, exclusion, or sexual harassment or harassment based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion, beliefs, health/disability status, age, or sexual orientation. It also provides or requests from the institution’s Board of Directors special support for victims of discrimination, exclusion, sexual harassment, and harassing behavior who report such incidents.

 

You may contact directly with the members of the Committee at equality@athenarc.gr

 

As part of its mission, the Committee leads Athena RC’s participation in networks and research activities for gender equity and anti-discrimination. Specifically, the Commitee: