The Government has promoted a series of supportive actions and legislative measures concerning women and aiming to resolve, as far as possible, of any problems they face on a personal, family, social and professional level, said Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry, Natasha Pilidou, speaking on Wednesday at an event of the Municipality of Latsia on the occasion of International Women's Day.
As Ms. Pileidou said, a significant number of women, more than at any other time in the Republic of Cyprus, are currently being utilized in key posts and positions of responsibility, as a further step towards achieving equality. As she noted, five women participate in the Council of Ministers, while 50% of the Commissioners appointed during the Presidency of Nicos Anastasiades are women with successful terms of office and significant work, which remains for the benefit of the entire society.There has also been an increase in the percentage of women participating in the Management of Semi-State Organizations, other Authorities or Councils, where women represent 33% during the current administration, compared to 30% previously.
According to the Minister of Energy, the Government has set as a priority the adoption of policies that reconcile women's professional and family life.
According to the Minister of Energy, the Government has set as a priority the adoption of policies that reconcile women's professional and family life. The Minister also said that the Government also attaches particular importance to the implementation of actions and policies related to combating and eliminating all forms of violence and all forms of inequality, discrimination and exploitation against women.
She referred, by way of example, to the promotion of the protection of women's labour rights and retirement conditions, as well as to the education, training and subsidies for youth and women's entrepreneurship.
As she said, the institution of the family and the coherent family policy were supported. Among other things, the Government proceeded with the revision of the Family Law legislation, the reinstatement of the mother's allowance, the extensions of maternity leave, the institutionalisation of paternity leave, and the expansion of the criteria on the basis of which the child allowance is granted.
The National Action Plan for Equality between Men and Women 2019-2023 was adopted.
The National Action Plan for Equality between Men and Women 2019-2023 was adopted. The "House for Women" was created, which will operate as a multidisciplinary centre, bringing together all relevant services, with the aim of providing holistic and integrated support services to victims of gender-based violence, the Energy Minister noted.
He also said that the percentage of the pay gap in Cyprus shows continuous improvement over time and according to the latest and revised data of the Statistical Service for 2019, this percentage in our country, from 15.6% in 2012, is now at 10.1%. It is thus much lower than the EU average of 14.1%, with this positive development placing Cyprus in the 7th best position among the EU Member States.
As the Energy Minister mentioned, important actions concerning women have been included in the Recovery and Resilience Plan "Cyprus Tomorrow". The Government's mission, Ms. Pileidou noted, in close cooperation with the Office of the Gender Equality Commissioner and all women's organisations, is to consolidate the achievements, defend and promote the rights and mitigate the problems faced by women.
The event was attended by the Director of the Press Office of the President of the Republic Andreas Joseph and the Mayors of Gerion, Cherion, Lefkonoikou and Akantho. The attendees were welcomed by the Mayor of Latsia, Christos Pittaras. This was followed by a concert by the orchestra of music composer Marios Meletios.
Source: CNA
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