New York: Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou, attended the events of the 69th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), where she emphasized the importance of women’s entrepreneurship and strengthening institutions for equality. She also highlighted the need to enhance women’s participation in decision-making bodies and called for legislative and administrative measures to combat violence against women.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Christodoulou is participating in the session’s activities at the UN headquarters in New York from March 10-21. She is leading the national delegation, which includes representatives from the National Women’s Rights Mechanism. On March 10, Christodoulou attended the session’s opening, where the Political Declaration was unanimously adopted, marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
In addition, a meeting of the EU Presidency Trio took place on the summit’s sidelines. Participants included Polish Minister for Equality Katarzyna Kotula, Danish Minister for Equality Magnus Heunicke, and Christodoulou, alongside European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib. Discussions focused on a new EU roadmap for women’s rights and the Trio’s upcoming gender equality declaration signing in Warsaw in April.
On March 11, Christodoulou participated in a working breakfast with EU Member States representatives to discuss gender equality promotion practices and identify areas needing intensified efforts. She emphasized the EU’s collective ability to advance women’s rights and cited national efforts as examples.
The same day, a joint event was organized by the Permanent Missions of Albania, Andorra, Greece, and Cyprus, along with UN Women and AFAMMER, titled “30 years of Beijing: Women’s effective leadership and entrepreneurship as drivers of change.” In her speech, Christodoulou highlighted women’s entrepreneurship as a catalyst for personal development and societal and economic strengthening. She also addressed the benefits and challenges of women’s increased participation in decision-making and the business sector.
On March 12, as part of the official summit program, Christodoulou delivered a statement during a high-level meeting on strengthening gender equality institutions. She discussed the legal establishment of the Gender Equality Commissioner, the advisory role of the National Mechanism for Women’s Rights, the National Strategy for Gender Equality, and promoting gender mainstreaming legislation.
Additionally, an event at the UN Headquarters, initiated by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe with Cyprus and Italy’s Permanent Missions, addressed “No more! Strengthening prevention and protection to end femicide in the OSCE region and beyond.” Christodoulou spoke on the legislative framework defining femicide as an offense and outlined government actions to prevent violence against women.
Lastly, Christodoulou met with Egyptian President of the National Council for Women, Amal Amar, following their previous discussions during her visit to Cairo last month.