Amongst the many gender gaps that exist in the labour market, the gap in entrepreneurship is a significant one. Across the EU, less than a third of active entrepreneurs are women, while fewer than 1 in 10 of the largest listed companies in the EU-27 have a woman chair or CEO.

Closing this gap is important not only for social-equity reasons but also for economic ones – both extensively, utilising an untapped potential of talent, and intensively, bringing into business different managerial styles and perspectives. In Greece, female entrepreneurial activity is on the rise, while the country performs above the EU average on metrics of female entrepreneurship. Still, female entrepreneurship faces complex problems and challenges, both cultural (related to entrenched gender stereotypes) and material (limited access to finance, problems of managing professional and household roles). This panel discussion will bring together academic, business and advocacy perspectives to explore the interplay between economic and cultural barriers to female entrepreneurship and the policy challenges associated with these. While taking stock of the situation in Greece, the panel will draw comparisons with European and international experiences, drawing on personal experiences of success and failure and exploring the specific role of support networks—including NGOs, associations, and policy initiatives— in overcoming the challenges faced by women in this traditionally male-dominated field.

Meet our speakers and chair:

Mrs Stella Kasdagli is a co-founder of Women On Top and the Head of Research Programmes and Strategic Partnerships for the organisation. She is also a writer, translator, and trainer for adolescents and adults. She studied French Literature in Athens and Media Theory in London and worked as an editor at Cosmopolitan Magazine for a number of years, while also working with other Greek and English publications and websites. She now designs and implements actions to eliminate the obstacles that women are still facing in the workplace., She writes about issues she would like to see debated more, translates books, and moderates book clubs and workshops promoting personal growth and social change. She is a graduate of the US State Department IVLP programme, has been honoured with the Social Impact UK Alumni Award and her books, koilitsa.com, I just wanted to fit it, the Princess Athena series, and 30 Women Who Changed the World (and how you can change it, too) were published by Patakis Editions (in Greek).

Mrs Kounenaki Efraimoglou Sophia is the First Vice-President of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Elected President of the National Chamber Network of Greek Women Entrepreneurs (EEDEGE), Executive Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Foundation of the Hellenic World and Head of “Hellenic Cosmos” Cultural Centre, as well as Treasurer of the BoD at ALBA Graduate Business School and Member of the General Council of SEV. She is the Chairman & Managing Director of Ardittos Holdings SA and Board Member of TERNA ENERGY GROUP and Lavipharm S.A.

Antigone Lyberaki is Professor of Economics at Panteion University in Athens. She has a Ph.D. in Economics and an M.Phil in Development Studies from Sussex University. She has taught at the University of Crete, the City University of New York (Queen’s College) and the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris. Her current research interests are small and medium-sized firms, migration, ageing societies and gender/feminist economics, where she has published extensively. She has also participated in a number of official reports for European and International Institutions. She is actively involved in NGOs connected with social and international solidarity. She served as Member of Parliament for Athens between January and September 2015. 

Vassilis Monastiriotis is the Director of the Hellenic Observatory Centre; Eleftherios Venizelos Chair of Contemporary Greek Studies, Professor of Political Economy.

More about this event

The Hellenic Observatory (@HO_LSE) is internationally recognised as one of the premier research centres on contemporary Greece and Cyprus. It engages in a range of activities, including developing and supporting academic and policy-related research; organisation of conferences, seminars and workshops; academic exchange through visiting fellowships and internships; as well as teaching at the graduate level through LSE's European Institute.

The Hellenic Female Leaders organisation is a global network of women sharing the same values and vision. Its mission is to inspire, empower and motivate women and is committed to making a positive impact in the workplace and community.

The twitter Hashtag for this event is: #LSEGreece

Podcast and Video

You can listen to the podcast here.

You can watch the video on our YouTube channel.