The video we just watched captures exactly how prejudice and stereotypes affect - in a devastating way - the lives of girls. We would say that even the simple phrases we use put more stumbling blocks in the way of girls, making it harder and harder for them to keep their footing as they get older. This means, in essence, settling for less than what they want and can achieve. And their confidence, their very worth, is judged by how well they can embody the social roles we impose on them.
Madam Minister, friend Athena,
Mr. President KOK, friend Andreas,
Mrs. Kalli H''Joseph, Member of the Board of Directors of the CAA, friend Kalli,
Let me take my turn to welcome you to today's press conference for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Cyprus Basketball Federation (KOK). I have chosen three of the seven minutes available to me to speak via video.
Stereotypes and prejudices are part of our everyday life. I am sure that those of you who watch matches, football for example, will have heard fans, male and female, comment on a mistake on the field using the phrase "he throws the ball like a woman", or "he kicks like a girl". And neither my position nor my morals allow me to use the familiar adjectives that usually accompany such phrases.
It is not news that there is a pervasive tendency to belittle women and always judge them in comparison to men. This has multiple consequences.
Women's sport, my friends, including basketball, is not seen by the wider society as equal to men's, as is also the case at work, and that is why we see, among other things, the pay gap, but also the phenomena of sexual harassment by people in power.
This inequality has also been experienced by the female basketball players of the under-16 team, who were initially excluded from the European Championship. Such an event, which was ultimately avoided, would not only have had a negative effect on their self-image, sending them the message that society does not consider them enough, but would also have had the effect of perpetuating this practice, discouraging other girls from participating in the sport and sport in general. It was, if you like, a crash test of what awaits them in the future, in terms of work, salary, their prospects in all areas. This is what we are trying to change, and we have the responsibility to change, friends, through supportive holistic and horizontal actions that promote and consolidate gender equality.
Having said the above, let me also underline that it is the obligation of the state to protect girls and boys from any discrimination. Where discrimination takes place, the state should immediately take corrective action, as it did through the close cooperation with the KOK and in particular its president Mr. Mouzouridis.
Ladies and gentlemen, friends,
It is well known arguments that women's sport does not bring the profits that men's sport does, so it is not worth investing much in it. It is not a Cypriot phenomenon. It is global, as is gender inequality, since no country has managed to achieve real, substantive equality.
Our first action towards gender equality in basketball is to stop comparing men's and women's leagues. They are two different things and that, after all, is why there is a women's league and a men's league. There is diversity and that is what we need to celebrate, champion and claim. And, where necessary, we must protect it from discrimination and exclusion.
In this direction and through this partnership that has been initiated with the KOK, we will proceed with informative preventive actions in the world of basketball, with trainings for staff, coaches and the children themselves, girls and boys about the concepts of gender equality, the importance of equality and how ensuring equality is in the interest of girls, boys and the whole society, as well as to the fan(s).
On this occasion, it is important to highlight and welcome the initiative of MP Andreas Apostolou, as well as the Committee on Education of the House of Representatives, the COA for the proposed law concerning the COA and ensuring gender equality in sport, ensuring, among other things, equal resources to women and men in national teams.
Thanks again to all those who have contributed to this effort and I look forward to an even more productive collaboration with all and sundry.
OP/EXP
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