It is with great emotion that I address today's inauguration of "Women's House", a project which clearly demonstrates the political priority we have set in terms of targeted and effective fight against violence against women.
Unfortunately, although it was my wish to be with you today, the extraordinary convocation of the National Council does not allow me to attend. However, through the dear Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry, I send you all my love and warm greetings.
Recognizing that violence against women is a complex, social phenomenon, which, in addition to the victim, affects and concerns the entire society and, primarily, the State, we have sought to ensure a broader and multi-layered framework of comprehensive support for any woman and her dependents who are subjected to violence.
Demonstrating in practice the debt, but also the will we have in this direction, beyond existing legislation and the implementation of relevant manuals and procedures, we have adopted a coherent set of policies, remaining fully committed to its implementation.
The starting point of our efforts was the ratification by law, in November 2017, of the Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.
Since then, our efforts have not been limited to the ratification of the Convention.
On the contrary, aiming at the full harmonization of Cyprus with the provisions of the Convention, I note that, among others, the House of Representatives in recent years has proceeded to the adoption of:
- The Law on the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.
- The Law on Protection from Harassment and Harassing Surveillance.
- The Law on the Establishment of Minimum Standards on the Rights, Support and Protection of Victims of Crime.
- The Law on Combating Sexism and Online Sexism and Related Matters of 2020.
- At the same time, the inclusion of the term femicide in the Criminal Code is underway.
These are three pieces of legislation, through which a thorough, comprehensive and modern network of preventive actions and repressive measures is being established, laying the foundations for the care and provision of specialised protection and practical support to victims of gender, domestic and intimate partner violence.
Above all, however, they make clear the zero tolerance towards all forms of violence against women and their dependants.
Above all, they make clear the zero tolerance towards all forms of violence against women and their dependants.
A milestone in addressing this phenomenon was the announcement and approval by the Council of Ministers in January 2019 of the creation of the Women's House that we are inaugurating today.
Immediately after the announcement, an Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee was set up, consisting of the Ministers of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance, Justice and Public Order and Health, to oversee the work of the Technical Committee responsible for the implementation of the project.
And I would indeed like to express my satisfaction and praise the efficiency and methodical way in which the Committees worked, resulting in the pilot operation of the Women's House on 1 December 2020.
The Government, recognising the important and effective work carried out by the Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family, has entrusted it with the management of the Programme, fully subsidising the first two years of its operation from the State Aid Scheme for Social Welfare Services, to the tune of more than €726,000.
In essence, "Women's House" is a space to which all women victims of violence, together with their minor children, have access, without discrimination.
It is the House which brings together all the relevant services, providing, through a multidisciplinary approach, criminal investigation, psychological, social, counselling, legal and medical support for both women victims of violence and their dependants.
It is the House which brings together all the relevant services, providing, through a multidisciplinary approach, criminal investigation, psychological, social, counselling, legal and medical support for both women victims of violence and their dependants.
In this way, the possibility of re-traumatisation, re-victimisation and stigmatisation is reduced.
At the same time, taking into account that the increasing trend of the rates does not concern the cases but the confession of the incidents, any fears and scruples about reporting them are addressed.
Friends,
What I want to note, emphasizing the importance of this project, is that "The House of Women" has managed, in its first year of pilot operation, more than 450 cases of women victims of violence.
It is in this context, but also in our broader policy, as I mentioned before, that the Council of Europe cites Cyprus as an example, applauding the targeted measures we have taken.
As I have stressed many times, it would be desirable if there were no need for the state to ensure the adoption of policies to deal with any form of violence and abuse.
But as long as they exist, it is a moral responsibility and obligation and, as is clearly evidenced by what I have said, our priority is to protect and support every individual subjected to such incidents.
Friends,
Today we are officially taking another important step in this direction.
I am absolutely sure that, through the ongoing actions and synergies promoted for the best possible operation and implementation of the programme, further conditions will be created for our country to become one of the European Union's pioneers in dealing with these phenomena.
Congratulating again all those who have contributed to the operation of the project that we are inaugurating today and which honours us all, I would like to wish every success in the high mission of the House of Women and those who will staff it throughout time.
Thank you.
Note.The greeting was read on behalf of the President of the Republic by the Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry, Mrs. Natasha Pilidou.
(ΓΑ/ΜΓ/ΣΧ)
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