Abstract
This paper focuses on the plight of Muslim minority women in Thrace, residing in the North- Eastern Greek province in all its three prefectures (Evros, Rodopi and Xanthi). There is evidence of increases in the number of female students in state and minority schools during the past years, their success in graduating from Greek universities and the adaptation of Muslim minority women to the information age. However, Greece’s economic crisis and the consequent austerity measures imposed by the EU, have resulted in new pressures on both the general population and minority Muslim communities that has made it harder to track the progress being made of the socio-professional integration of these women during this challenging time period. Collecting data concerning Muslim minority in Greek Thrace and especially minority women is not an easy effort. This paper will thus examine the available data about the professions that Muslim minority women occupy from information collected from multiple sources: public and private organizations, institutions, citizen service centers, local commercial and technical chambers, hospitals, municipal offices and other institutions. In addition, data from interview/conversations with Muslim minority women, will illuminate the agony they continue to experience as they pursue professional integration. Finally a set of proposals and thoughts on the empowerment and integration of Muslim minority women will be presented to illustrate the types of effort needed and the mutual respect among Christians and Muslims that is required in order to bring a sense of justice and lead to inclusivity among the communities of the region.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Adult, Community, and Professional Learning
KEYWORDS
Professions, Minority Women
