SolidarityNow is collaborating for the first time with the L’Oréal Fund for Women to support women in Northern Greece in their journey to access the labor market.

The project “Livelihoods Unlocked: Empowering Women through Employment” provides:

• Tailored empowerment and employability services for women from vulnerable backgrounds, and

• Awareness-raising around the barriers women face in accessing employment opportunities.

This initiative strengthens the ongoing work of the Employment Service at the Thessaloniki Solidarity Center, which consistently stands by the most vulnerable social groups.

Livelihoods Unlocked aims to contribute to reducing the gender gap in employment, which remains significant in Greece. In particular, during the second quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate among women was 10.5%, compared to 6.9% among men, while Greece lags behind the European average in nearly all indicators of workplace gender equality. According to the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), in Greece:

• Women continue to work part-time at significantly higher rates than men.

• Occupational segregation is evident, with women overrepresented in lower-paid sectors with limited advancement opportunities, such as education, healthcare, and social care.

• The Career Prospects Index also shows a disadvantage for women compared both to men and to the European average.

These barriers become even more pronounced for women facing multiple vulnerabilities such as single mothers, survivors of gender-based violence, long-term unemployed, and others. Research shows that these groups face additional obstacles, including limited training opportunities, increased caregiving responsibilities, and often, discrimination by employers. Through this new project, SolidarityNow is taking concrete steps to support women who need it most, helping them access the labor market and regain autonomy and confidence through employment.