Migrant Women in Greece: Barriers, Challenges, and the Power of Social Entrepreneurship
In Greece, over 765,600 people with foreign citizenship reside permanently, with 58.7% of them being migrant women. Despite their education and qualifications—60% hold a university degree—these women face multiple barriers in accessing the labor market and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Within the framework of the European project WISER – Women-Centric Intervention for Social Entrepreneurship Resilience, extensive research was conducted to highlight the key challenges and needs of migrant women, aiming to create the e-book “Social Entrepreneurship as a Labour Pathway for Migrant Women”.
Key Barriers to Employment and Entrepreneurship
1. Language Barriers:
The inability to understand and use the Greek language is a major obstacle in finding employment and starting a business. Most women reported that language is the third most significant barrier to job searching. In rural areas, access to Greek language programs is limited, widening the gap even further.
2. Bureaucratic & Legal Obstacles:
The process of recognizing professional qualifications is time-consuming and complex, especially for women from non-EU countries. The need to translate official documents and the limited understanding of legal procedures increase both costs and delays.
3. Limited Access to Networks and Support Structures:
The lack of professional support networks, mentoring, and access to information is a significant barrier. Many women are unaware of existing social entrepreneurship programs and fear social stigma when seeking help.
4. Financial Barriers:
Limited access to financial resources makes it difficult to develop entrepreneurial initiatives. Most women are employed in precarious, low-paid jobs, while 40% are unemployed.
5. Social & Cultural Barriers:
Traditional gender roles in Greek society often assign women to domestic responsibilities, limiting their professional development. Additionally, stereotypes and prejudices against migrant women reduce their employment and business opportunities.