Several women face systemic discrimination in the arts, said the Deputy Minister of Culture, Yannis Toumazis, who attended the event "Gender Equality in Culture", which took place on Tuesday. The event was organised by the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations, in cooperation with the Cyprus National Committee of UNESCO.
The aim, noted the Deputy Minister of Culture, is to disseminate and promote the priority "Gender Equality" as part of a wider research, which will cover all key aspects of the UNESCO Convention relating to the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms in relation to gender issues.
Toumazis added that the Republic of Cyprus has made it a priority to mainstream gender equality in all sectors of society, including the creative and cultural sectors. Values such as equality are non-negotiable values and an integral part of the foundations of the Republic, he noted.
Cyprus embraces European principles and values which, apart from respect for human dignity, the rule of law, freedom and human rights, attach particular value to equality, he said, adding that equality is the basis for maximising the participation of the whole society, which can only be ensured through the activation of all citizens, regardless of their origin, gender or physical appearance.
The aim of our state's cultural policy is to foster awareness of equality in the field of arts, the Deputy Minister of Culture said, adding that Cypriot women, who are active in the field of culture, have proven over time that they have the talent, qualifications and skills to work and at the same time meet the demands of modern society.
Despite the legislative enshrinement of equality between people, gender continues to play an important role in the social functioning of culture and the arts, Mr. Toumazis pointed out, adding that many women, and not only, face systemic discrimination in their efforts to create and/or work in the arts sector. It is important that such barriers are identified and resolved through discussion and dialogue and through awareness-raising of the whole society, he stressed.
Therefore, the effort to ensure gender equality is a process of permanent identification of gender-related specificities and needs. The submission of policy recommendations and proposals, as well as the practice of implementation, should form a new basis for the inclusive functioning of the sector, the Deputy Minister of Culture concluded.
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Source: CNA
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