It is a great honour for me today to be at the event on "Gender Equality in Culture", which focuses mainly on the aspect of the position of women in cultural creation and production.
This event is organized by the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Agency for European Programmes and Cultural Relations, in cooperation with the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO.
The aim is to disseminate and promote the priority "Gender Equality" as part of a broader 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.
The Republic of Cyprus has set as a priority the dissemination of 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.
The 2005 UNESCO Convention, which was adopted by the European Union as a whole in 2006 and to which all Member States have committed themselves, contains the basic provisions on gender equality, a principle which is an integral part of culture as it ensures diversity and pluralism in modern societies, which is of paramount importance for the sustainability of the Cultural and Creative Industries.
Cyprus embraces European principles and values which, in addition to respect for human dignity, the rule of law, freedom and human rights, attach particular importance to equality.
Furthermore, 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.
At the same time, Member States have put in place additional policies for the adoption of the core values of the UNESCO Convention. The aim of our state's cultural policy is to cultivate a consciousness of equality in the arts. Cypriot women, who are active in the cultural sector, 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 all the legislative enshrinement of equality between people, gender continues to play an important role in the social functioning of culture and the arts. Many women, and not only women, face systemic discrimination in their efforts to create and/or work in the arts. It is important that such barriers are identified and resolved through discussion and dialogue and by raising awareness of society as a whole.
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.
In conclusion, I would like to thank the UNESCO Convention Contact Point of the Ministry of Culture, the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO and the Leventis Gallery for their hospitality.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank and congratulate the Board of Directors and staff of the Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations for the work they do and the special cooperation with the Deputy Ministry for the promotion of European principles and values.
(EL)
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