New York: Over the past few years, the Government of Cyprus has taken concrete steps and implemented practical measures to advance gender equality across all sectors, Josie Christodoulou, Commissioner for Gender Equality of Cyprus has said at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the UN headquarters in New York.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Christodoulou, who delivered Cyprus’ National Statement, said that Cyprus has strengthened legislative frameworks, reinforced institutional mechanisms, and introduced targeted policies aimed to eliminate gender-based discrimination and violence, as well as increasing financial support to women’s rights organisations.
Key achievements include the formulation of a comprehensive National Strategy designed to promote gender equality at all levels, as well as the enactment of new legislation institutionalising, for the first time, the role of the Gender Equality Commissioner. Special legislation on combating sexism, online sexism, and gender-based violence, including recognizing femicide as a separate crime, are also being implemented nationally.
“Currently, we are promoting a new law to mainstream gender across public policies, aiming to challenge and gradually eradicate deeply rooted gender stereotypes and prejudices in Cypriot society. Central to our efforts is also the introduction of gender-responsive budgeting, enabling Ministries to develop targeted policies and actions based on gender-disaggregated statistics,” she said.
Furthermore, Christodoulou noted that Cyprus has strengthened collaborations with the private sector to bridge the gender pay gap and promote women’s participation in traditionally male-dominated fields, such as STEAM. Targeted measures are also in place to increase the presence of women in decision-making positions at all levels.
To support work-life balance, Cyprus has extended parental leave policies, enhanced maternity care services within the national health system, and provided social benefits tailored to women’s specific needs and realities.
“Additionally, we prioritise education and awareness-raising through expanded campaigns on gender equality, engaging youth and local communities to challenge stereotypes and promote equal opportunities,” she continued.
Despite these advancements, Christodoulou acknowledged that significant challenges remain, citing factors such as economic instability and the climate crisis that disproportionately affect women and girls. She reaffirmed Cyprus’ dedication to fully implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, calling it “the most substantial Roadmap on Women’s Rights.”
Christodoulou concluded by calling on the international community to accelerate action and increase funding for gender-responsive policies to ensure the needs of every woman and girl, especially those in vulnerable situations, are fully met.
Meanwhile, Cyprus co-organized an event on femicide with Croatia entitled ‘United against femicide: action to end gender-based murders of women and girls’. Additionally, Cyprus facilitated an event on trafficking in persons and violence against women and girls in collaboration with Tajikistan and various UN agencies.
The Cypriot Commissioner also met with the Minister of Social Development of Jordan, Wafa Bani Mustafa, to discuss cooperation between the two countries and the implementation of Jordan’s action plan for UN Security Council Resolution 1325, ‘Women, Peace and Security.’