The EQUALL programme started attracting high participation

The EQUALL programme, which is implemented by Piraeus Bank and aims at contributing to the formation of a society of equal people, was launched attracting high participation from all over Greece. 

The EQUALL programme initially includes three actions: 

• Women Founders and Makers, aimed at women who have created or wish to create their own business,
• Women Back to Work, aimed at women who have been out of the labour market and wish to return to it,
• Profession Has No Gender, addressed to public high school students throughout Greece and aiming to inspire and motivate the new generation to follow the academic and professional path they wish, regardless of one’s gender. 

The CEO of Piraeus Bank, Mr Christos Megalou, welcoming the women participating in the first two actions of the programme, as well as the students of the schools that participated in the action Profession Has No Gender, said: “We are working for a future without gender stereotypes, where everyone will have equal opportunities for personal and professional development, equal rights in education, work, and pay, to ultimately eliminate the disadvantages caused by gender-based discrimination. In this context, with a sense of responsibility and consistency, we plan and implement actions that serve these major needs in a targeted manner.” 

He also stressed that “Piraeus Bank is the first Greek bank to sign the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, committing to contribute to the creation of an environment where women live and work in conditions of equality and security with dignity and respect. Despite the progress that is being made, as human equality increasingly becomes part of our individual and collective social consciousness, the road to achieving the big goals is still long. And this increases the responsibility of all of us and motivates us to take action.” 

The Bank's commitment to implementing an appropriate framework to promote gender equality is further strengthened by its inclusion in the 418 companies from 45 countries and regions included in the 2022 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. This is an important Index that tracks the performance of companies that are committed to transparency in the data they provide on their Gender Equality policies. 

Women from all over Greece, most of whom from the regions, took part in the first cycle of the EQUALL programme - presented by Piraeus Bank on 8 March, the International Women’s Day - while applications exceeded all expectations. Specifically, the Women Founders and Makers action received 742 applications for 50 positions and the Women Back to Work action received 275 applications for 50 positions, an over-coverage of 1,394% and 454% respectively. 

Schools from all regions of the country also participated in the event. In fact, students who took part had the opportunity to ask the CEO of Piraeus Bank questions regarding gender equality in the workplace. In the first cycle of the programme, the aim was to involve 1,200 students while 3,151 students applied to participate. 

The EQUALL programme is designed and implemented in collaboration with 100mentors and Tipping Point. 100mentors has developed an advanced technology upskilling and reskilling application as their mission is to provide equal access to learning and expand opportunities for people, regardless of their economic, social and cognitive backgrounds. 

Tipping Point aims at empowering thousands of students in areas of high unemployment and isolated islands and villages to connect with a range of mentors via technology, so they can make more informed decisions about their professional and academic future. 

More information on the EQUALL programme at https://www.equall.gr 

Athens, 5 April 2022