Historiography lacks basic information about women’s action in history. As the mainstream literature on women’s history is limited, their contribution to society and the struggles for women’s rights are more likely invisible. Recognizing the achievements of women in all facets of life has a huge impact on the development of self-respect and new opportunities for girls and young women. That is why HerStory will work as a women’s empowerment tool. Promoting gender equality is EU’s core priority as equality between women and men is a fundamental EU value, an EU objective, and a driver for economic growth.
However, according to the latest Gender Equality Index (EIGE,2021) the EU’s score for gender equality reaches just to 68%. That means that the EU society is still far from the finish line of gender equality with women facing discrimination in everyday life. Even if some encouraging progress has been made, women continue to be under-represented in decision-making positions, and political life in many EU Member States as well as in the corporate sector (EIGE, 2021). Even when women express themselves in these fora, they are often confronted with gender stereotypes and sexism. This situation undermines the full functioning of democratic institutions and processes. Gender inequality is an obstacle to women’s empowerment and a barrier for economic growth and sustainable development (UN, Gender equality and women’s empowerment, 2022).
Gender based stereotypes are deeply rooted in the social consciousness which play an important role in the daily lives of both sexes. Gender stereotyping, cultural discouragement and promotion of female role models hinders and negatively affects girls’ and women’s participation among others in decision-making positions, in political life as well as in the corporate sector, in STEAM, and related careers. In this context challenging stereotypical assumptions regarding gender roles while empowering girls and women is of importance to move forward regarding gender balance in decision making, social and political life as well as in various sectors of the economy.
The aim of the project is to highlight the footprint of women in history in cities across Europe. HerStory aims to develop a transnational map that will feature important women in politics and society as well as in sciences and the arts while bringing to light important historical moments in which women’s action was determinant. This initiative, on the one hand, will tackle the gender stereotypes that keep women away from decision-making bodies, whether in politics and social life or work while at the same time it will promote role models operating as an empowerment tool for girls and women.
The project’s specific aims in support of these objectives, include:
• Tackling gender stereotypes on social media, focusing on stereotypes that influence young people’s career choices.
• Increasing awareness of existing online mechanisms that reinforce gender stereotypes and are related to professional life and career opportunities.
• Promoting a different way of communicating/representing gender roles in employment/career opportunities on social media.
Funding: European Union. Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme. CERV-2022-GE – Call for proposals to promote gender equality
Reference: 101087984
Time: 16/01/2023 to 15/01/2025
Budget: 506.152,80 €