Nicosia: Recent decisions by the European Court of Human Rights point to the fact that gender stereotypes and prejudices continue to influence the administration of justice in Cyprus, said in a written statement issued on Friday the Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the recent decisions (dated 3.7.25 in a case of 2022 and 27.2.25 in a case of 2022) of the ECHR against the Republic of Cyprus, concerning two rape cases, constitute a reason for serious self-criticism. “Perceptions about how a woman rape victim ‘should’ be or behave, as well as the questioning of the victims’ credibility, lead to discrimination based on gender and, as stated in the decision of 3.7.25, fail to respect the victims’ dignity,” she notes.
She adds that sexism and gender stereotypes are rooted in unequal power relations between men and women. ‘They lead to harmful actions and behaviors both at the individual and societal levels. They fuel violence against women, offend human dignity and undermine justice, democracy and the rule of law,’ she further notes.
“The existence of such discrimination is not only socially unacceptable, but also contrary to the international obligations of the Republic of Cyprus regarding gender equality and the protection of women from any form of violence. We must consistently act on the basis of international law and our national strategic objectives and ensure an environment of safety, equality and dignity for all,” continues the Commissioner.
She also said that in recent years the legal and institutional framework for the prevention and treatment of violence against women and for the promotion of gender equality in Cyprus has been significantly strengthened, adding that by fully utilizing the available tools and through collaborations, we must ensure the effective protection of victims and the establishment of the necessary culture of gender equality.
The Commissioner’s Office, in collaboration with the Academy of the Law Office, has already initiated a series of discussions with officers of the Service aiming to deconstruct stereotypical perceptions and unconscious biases, she adds, while highlighting the collaboration with the Cyprus Judicial Training School to enhance institutional awareness on gender-based violence.
‘Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights. Therefore, it is not an individual matter of the victims but concerns and affects society as a whole,’ Christodoulou concludes.