First of all, I have to say, that Polish women are excellent organizers, congratulations. On the streets of Warszawa you can feel positive energy. First of all, I have to say, that Polish women are excellent organizers, congratulations. On the streets of Warszawa you can feel positive energy. Poland has a positive economic growth, which is reflected in the atmosphere of the streets. Warszawa is generally speaking a world city, especially if I remember what was in the eighties. Then soldiers with guns stood in the streets, watching people buying shoes, of course, only one model and one color. A positive transfer from communism to democracy is felt at every step? Hereby my speech at the congress.

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Twenty three years ago my country, Slovenia, became independent. It was the time when I got a position as CEO of a company that was barely surviving. I was one of the few women in a leadership role. I was leading 200 people. And most of them were men. Almost nobody believed I could lead them to growth. But we all made it as a team. In 15 years, we restructured the company into a highly technological business in the field of energy and environmental protection. With our independence we suddenly became a part of a global market. We were not limited to the single market of former Yugoslavia. We had to fight for our new customers. We needed to learn a lot. We needed to be creative and fast. It was not easy. I had several moments when I thought to myself “This is not going to work.” But it did. And I look at this period of my life with pride. Besides being a successful business women, I raised two daughters. I tried my best being a mother and wife, but I lost my marriage. Unfortunately we still lack understanding… Unfortunately, today it is still not understood that a woman can be a wife, a mother, and at the same time a manager.

I have never been a feminist. I have never blamed men for any failure. For a long time I have been looking for historical explanations as to why, for example, in Sweden the number of women in politics and decision-making positions is sometimes even higher than those of men. At the same time, in many European countries, women are still perceived as a cooking and cleaning service. It comes down to a cultural shift in our minds. We have come a long way, but we still need to move many borders. Women enjoy cooking. But women also like to be a part of creation and decision making. Each at her own level.

Nine years ago, Slovenia entered into Europe. Into a common home in which we have always historically belonged. At that time, I did not even dare dream that I could also help in shaping European policy. So that I would be able to shape the future of young girls who are just starting their journey. Sensitivity to the question of equality is present in the creation of all legislation in the European Parliament. The question of women’s inequality holds a special place. Recently, the focus has been the need to encourage women to become entrepreneurs. For this there are special financial incentives available. For women, material independence is important. Only in this way can they shape their own future with independence and self-confidence.

Political work in Parliament is just one part of my story. The second part of my political work is in my home country. As an MEP, I want to raise awareness among as many women’s and  young girls as possible that they can do anything. Inequality starts with education. As everything that is technical or scientific is given to men. Girls will have a better chance of employment if they believe in themselves. If they believe that talent is not limited by gender and that the only thing that is required is to develop them. That is why I started my initiative, Food for Health and Workplaces, by which my colleges from SDS party are very active . Many of them they are hire today with us. By organizing events, trainings and competitions, the purpose is to discover entrepreneurial opportunities, which are hidden in the earth. In cultivation, feeding and taking care of the well-being of both the younger and older generations. Above all, the philosophy of the initiative is focused on the inspiration, on the fact that one can survive and continue to be creative especially in times of crisis.

The crisis is subsiding in most EU countries, moderate economic growth is beginning again. Nevertheless, we are witnessing record numbers of unemployed people in the European Union. Of the 27 million, as many as 5 million of the unemployed are young people, with severe global competition coming from Brazil, China, and India. These are facts that require finding new opportunities for economic growth. It is not insignificant that our education system lacks entrepreneurial spirit. Thoughts that would encourage young people and build their self-confidence and risk-taking. Traditional workplaces, as we know them, are no longer a reality. There is an urgent need for women’s and young people to realize their ideas into business opportunities and self-employment. For example, self-employment in waste, which invisibly drives past us. It is estimated that in Europe out of a total of 10 million tones more than 3.5 million tons of electronic waste per year is illegally exported. This is the length of a fully laden train 4000km in length. This train would be so long as the path from Warsaw to the North pole and back.

We cannot talk about growth and jobs on the one hand, and not encourage drivers of growth on the other. As politicians, we need to understand the needs of the people, the market, health care and the environment. If we do not create the right business environment, European competitiveness will fall. We need a realistic vision to achieve the re-industrialization of Europe and at the same time maintain the highest level of attention on people?s health and the environment.

More Europe can mean less bureaucracy and more simplification. It is time that we spend less energy competing amongst each other in Europe. It is time to connect. It is time to increase activity in the economic game outside of Europe. For all of this, a democratic environment is necessary where freedom of speech is in first place, which today in my homeland is not self-evident.

What can women do?

1 ? Learn to take time for yourself, for your health and well-being. This way with more confidence we will be more attractive to men and partners who are here and there overwhelmed.

2 ? Raise awareness among girls and women about the fact that they are also capable of “men?s” courses and careers, and to transfer through them the skills and values of our grandmothers.

3 ? Encourage and create the conditions where girls and women will not hesitate to become entrepreneurs. That they will believe in themselves!

4 ? Inspire girls and women to have the courage to step to the forefront in leading positions, both in business and in politics. To become risk-takers!

5 ? Changing the cult of eternal beauty and youth with awareness of healthy living and making ourselves examples of this.

6 ? Let us be among the people and with the people and share with them values in which we not only believe, but also do.

7 ? Raise our own awareness and to everyone around us that our health depends largely on food.

8 ? Take femininity as a great advantage that can be practiced in all areas. Of course, with a lot of perseverance, lifelong learning, love and inner energy.

9 ? Political activity and courage give us the ability to change the world. That is why we encourage voters. We run for elections.

10 ? Knowledge and entrepreneurship is a women’s best friend, diamonds will follow.

Zofija Mazej Kukovič MEP