Abstract
In Greece, sport as a tool for the promotion of gender integration and social justice has been included in the upcoming National Action Plan for Gender Equality (NAPGE) for 2021-2025 by the General Secretariat for Demography and Family Policy and Gender Equality of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. The social space of sport is also included in the currently in effect NAPGE, formulated for 2016-2020 by the General Secretariat for Gender Equality (GSGE) of the Ministry of the Interior. This article begins with a presentation of the upcoming-updated NAPGE 2021-2025 and subsequently examines NAPGE 2016-2020 which is currently in effect. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the strategic goals of the NAPGE are being implemented in the Hellenic Military Higher Education Institutions and specifically in their academic curricula and programs, focusing on coed sport activities. A strategic goal of the NAPGE 2016-2020, as in the one to follow for 2021-2025, is to promote equality in education, culture, sport, and the media. To eliminate gender inequalities the NAPGE, presently in effect in Greek society, sets six strategic goals, and incorporates the gender dimension in all social, political, educational and sports bodies. Following European Commission guidelines, the NAPGE priority areas focus on promoting health; eliminating gender-based violence; supporting equality in education, training, culture, sport, and the media; promoting social integration and equality. As regards education, the main objectives include eliminating gender stereotypes and all forms of discrimination. Research shows that women's sport participation challenges gender stereotypes. Subsequently, women’s integration and gender equality in the military is discussed, using the curricula and sport programs at the five military schools/academies along with the interview data from our previous study with twelve active-duty female officers, former cadets at these five institutions. Our findings indicate that the gender dimension is taken into account: the NAPGE is being implemented, to a certain extent. Our results show that coed sport activities and team sports cultivate acceptance, cohesion, teamwork, and collaborations, leading to women’s integration and inclusion, in addition to a healthier and more productive military environment and culture. 
 
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Highlights
Following a literature review on ensuring a gender balance in military institutions and implementing the National Action Plan for Gender Equality (NAPGE), we discuss the data of our previous study (Kefi-Chatzichamperi, Kamberidou, & Patsantaras, 2020), which included interviews with twelve active-duty female officers who had been enrolled as cadets in the five Hellenic Military Higher Education Institutions, and graduated in the years 2000, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015
We need reiterate that this study examines the implementation of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality (NAPGE) in the five Hellenic Military Higher Education Institutions, and the promotion of gender equality through sports, and coed sport activities in particular
Gender awareness-raising programs and training for civilian and military personnel of the Ministry of National Defense is proposed in Objective 2 of the fourth axis. This action recommends collaborations between the Ministry of Education, the Institute of Educational, Policy, the General Secretariat for Gender Equality (GSGE), the National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA), and the General Secretariat for Lifelong Learning (NAPGE, 2018: 71), neglecting to include here the Ministry of Defense, which seems to be a grave oversight. This is a serious oversight in view of the gender participation and leadership gaps, namely women’s underrepresentation in military institutions in Greece, that will be examined in this paper: e.g., women make up only 10 percent of the cadets in Greece’s higher education military institutions/academies, and only 15.5 percent in the country’s Armed Forces (15.5 %)
Summary
"Multiple Discrimination means any discrimination, exclusion or limitation, to a person, based on more than one reason (e.g., race, color, national or ethnic origin, birth, religion or other belief, disability or chronic illness, age, family or social status, sexual orientation, identity or gender" (NAPGE, 2018: 14). Priority axis 4, titled "Gender mainstreaming in sectoral policies", focuses on the integration of the gender perspective/dimension in all sectoral policies and, when needed, close cooperation with ministries, public bodies, and local authorities. Through this axis, European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science - Volume 7 │ Issue 3 │ 2021. The Ministry of Culture and Sports has already launched collaborations and discussions on including the gender dimension in education; promoting gender equality in sports; supporting women’s participation in coaching and in decision-making positions; eliminating all forms of violence, such as abuse of power, including harassment and racism in sport (NAPGE, 2021: 39, 42, 51). Regarding their access to adequate health care, in 2018, about 11.3% women and 9% men, said they were satisfied (NAPGE, 2021: 8-9)
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