The Student Collaboration Team “ATHENA RACING TEAM” that won the “FIA Women in Motorsport Award” at the F1 in Schools World Championship, representing Greece, was welcomed to her office by the Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Mrs. Maria-Alexandra Kefala. The meeting took place on Wednesday 11 October 2023 on the occasion of the International Girl’s Day.
The students Dafni Valiadou, Evangelia Vournazou, Georgia Samara, Katerina Halbe (Ekpedeftiki Anagennisi), Fai Panagaki, Mikaela Moustakas and Kyriaki Iliopoulou (Erasmios Hellenic German School) with the Team Coaches Mr. Dimitris Moraitis, Mr. Yiannis Tounda and Mr. Stelios Tsakoumagos told the Deputy Minister their experience and the benefits they obtained through this entire journey.
Mrs. Maria-Alexandra Kefala, having in her competence matters of Equality and Human Rights, discussed with the students of the “ATHENA RACING TEAM” the importance of discrimination and the development of women in objects and in fields previously dominated by men .
In addition, the Deputy Minister congratulated the students who made Greece proud with their distinction and they replied that “they want to encourage other students to engage in critical areas of cutting edge and innovation, as girls have a lot to give in these areas.”
“We want to encourage girls not to give up on their plans. We are on the side of those who want to engage in professions that are considered male-dominated. Our goal is to attract more girls to STEM studies, to address their underrepresentation in technology and to create the conditions for equal opportunities in the fields of research and innovation as well,” underlined the Deputy Minister.