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I would like to begin by thanking the Minister of Foreign Affairs for today's event, but especially for our productive cooperation. Special thanks to our speakers, Ms. Yordamli and Ms. Sofianou, two excellent women, diplomats and professionals.
In addition to its substance, today's event has its own special symbolism. It takes place in the context of the International Women in Diplomacy Day, established by the UN General Assembly. The aim, as with every international day, is to highlight an issue, to criticise, to reflect. This day commemorates Women in Diplomacy. It honours you.
Dear friends,
Today, in a different discussion, we want to highlight some of the many excellent women role models in the Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Cyprus. We consider it very important that they share with you their own experiences and perhaps you will see this profession as an option for you in the future. A profession that gives you the opportunity to earn but at the same time to offer.
The fact is that, in 2023, we are still discussing and trying to convince people of the obvious. That women's rights are human rights. In an environment like that of foreign policy, of diplomacy, it is unthinkable that all issues - from the invasion of Ukraine to human rights - are discussed horizontally and that the gender dimension is absent. The main reason for the absence of the gender dimension, that is, how the policies we formulate and the actions we take affect women and men differently, is the fact that women have not had a place at the table. Therefore, their perspective has been absent or not included to the desired extent.
Diplomacy, globally, is still considered a male-dominated field, with anachronistic perceptions, such as that international forums are about "hard" policies, therefore only men.
This is starting to change. It is beginning to change because of all the women serving in the Diplomatic Service.
I have had the opportunity and honor to work with many of these women diplomats, and I know very well that they have been instrumental in shaping policies that positively impact our lives today, on a wide range of issues from energy, defense, crisis management to human rights. In fact, as we speak, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus in Geneva, Ms Olympia Neocleous, is delivering a joint statement on femicide at the UN Human Rights Council. This is an initiative by Cyprus and Israel, supported by almost 70 countries. An effort and a process started about 2 years ago by the women of the Cyprus Diplomatic Service.
Dear friends,
I will not tell you that whatever profession you choose, your career will be red-carpeted. As in many other professions, many women in the Diplomatic Service face invisible or even visible obstacles precisely because they are women. Whether due to unconscious bias or conscious bias, they are not considered "adequate" to meet them, mainly because they are expected to think about taking care of the family, since stereotypically the burden of this responsibility falls almost exclusively on their shoulders. These questions, however, are not for women themselves to answer, but for the system.
It is therefore necessary to create those policies and actions that respond to the different needs of women and men in the Diplomatic Service, in order to give them the space and voice to have even more influence and impact on the foreign policy of the Republic of Cyprus.
Friends,
This is precisely the new role of the Office of the Equality Commissioner. We are proceeding, always in cooperation with all Ministries and Deputy Ministries, to integrate actions and policies horizontally throughout the state machinery so that the state covers and includes the other 50% of its population.
I am particularly pleased because both cooperation and joint actions have already begun with most Ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The aim is to create the right conditions or evaluate and where necessary strengthen them to make them friendly to all and sundry in order to increase the number of women in diplomacy, because they can only contribute to the foreign policy of our country.
Culture change is not something that is achieved overnight. It takes perseverance, patience and strategy to break down the "wall" of stereotypes.
In closing, I would like to say that today's event is a continuation of similar events or even efforts by women ambassadors who paved the way for today's women in diplomacy, who today it is their turn to pave a better way for you.
(AA/MB/SX)
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