Rome: Cyprus is intensifying its efforts to integrate the gender dimension into public policies, incorporating equality into decision-making, policy and action planning, and budgeting, emphasized the Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou, who participated in the high-level international conference against femicide, held on Friday in Rome.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the conference was co-organized by the Italian Presidency and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), with the participation of European Ministers, UN and OSCE experts, and representatives of the civil society. Christodoulou highlighted Cyprus’s significant steps in recent years, including the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and the adoption of comprehensive legislation to combat violence against women. Initiatives such as the criminalization of sexism and online sexism, the operation of the ‘Women’s House’ for supporting victims, training of frontline professionals, and the strengthening of NGOs were also discussed. A notable achievement was the 2022 law that established femicide as a distinct offense, acknowledging its gender-based dimension.
Christodoulou acknowledged that despite the progress, effective implementation of laws and achieving cultural change remain critical challenges. She emphasized that real change requires prevention and a shift in mindset, beyond legal amendments. ‘We must deconstruct the stereotypes that sustain inequality and silently legitimize violence, involving men and boys as allies in our efforts,’ she stated.
The Commissioner pointed out that femicide is the most extreme form of violence against women and a brutal form of discrimination, rooted in historical power relations between men and women. She noted that worldwide, gender biases and stereotypes continue to fuel inequality and normalize violence, creating a climate of tolerance that endangers women even within their own homes.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Commissioner held private meetings with key figures, including the European Commissioner for Equality, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, the Italian Minister for Equal Opportunities and Family, Eugenia Roccella, the Serbian Minister for Gender Equality, Prevention of Violence and Women’s Empowerment, Tatjana Macura, the Greek Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou, and the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem.