Mr Chief of the General Staff of the National Guard,
Dear officers, non-commissioned officers and privates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
New Contract Soldiers of the National Guard,
That we are here today - at this particular swearing-in ceremony - is a tremendous victory. A victory against stereotypes and sexist, outdated notions of gender discrimination in the defense of our country. We are taking important steps on a path that we still have a long way to go.
It is therefore with great pleasure that I accepted the invitation of the Chief of the General Staff to attend today's swearing-in ceremony of female contracted female soldiers. And as a woman addressing women, I feel proud and touched to see you in the honoured uniform of the National Guard, ready to undertake the highest duty of service to your country, fully aware of the challenges you will face in serving our semi-occupied for almost half a century Cyprus.
I take this opportunity to express my respect and admiration for you, the young women soldiers, who, contrary to stereotypes, take on the great honour and responsibility of putting yourselves at the service of the homeland, defying the dangers and difficult circumstances that your decision to enlist entails.
I also express my immense respect and appreciation to women all over the world who, through their timeless struggles, have lit the spark for equal rights, breaking down anachronistic notions of women's place in society. Through their struggles and demands, women have gained rights such as the right to vote, equal opportunities in the labour market and equal treatment in the workplace. Progressively, women have conquered many "male-dominated" areas.
Friends,
The participation of Cypriot women in all the struggles of the homeland demonstrates the ability of women to offer excellent services in the defence and defence of national interests. Therefore, the status of soldier is or should no longer be a matter of gender, but a matter of individual characteristics, such as the morality, discipline, professionalism and dedication required when carrying out tasks, especially important missions.
In Cyprus, the presence of women in the ranks of Contracted Women Soldiers is a historic and innovative reform in the National Guard, which strengthens the Cypriot Army and the defence of the country. Today's swearing-in ceremony confirms the fact that military service is not a male-only affair. Women serving in the army are proven to carry out their duties with professional competence, organisational and management skills. The zeal and dedication they demonstrate on a daily basis in serving the armed forces strengthen the institution, upgrade and modernize the National Guard.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The illegal presence of the Turkish occupying army on our island for more than 47 years, as well as the continuous, escalating and unacceptable Turkish provocations, most recently Turkey's violations in the Cypriot EEZ and the arbitrary subversion of the status quo in the enclosed city of Famagusta, necessitate today, more than ever before, the need to further upgrade the defence and preparedness of the National Guard, with the aim of defending the sovereign rights of our country and preserving the independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.
New contracted female soldiers,
With your newly sworn oath of obedience to the Constitution and the laws, your loyalty and devotion to your country and with full awareness of the weight of the responsibility you are assuming, you have placed yourselves at the disposal of your country and I am sure that you will work hard, to successfully fulfil your mission and prove yourselves worthy of the trust and expectations of your country.
The phrase from Homer's Iliad, "εις oonός άριστος, αμύνεσθαι περί πάτρης", will always exhort you, especially in critical moments, to fight courageously for the good of the homeland, since this struggle is the best omen for a homeland facing Turkish occupation and intransigence.
In conclusion, I warmly congratulate the instructors, officers and non-commissioned officers who, with professionalism and a sense of responsibility, have contributed to the completion of the arduous training of the Contracted Women Soldiers, providing them with the physical and mental resources to carry out their mission.
In conclusion, I warmly congratulate the instructors, officers and non-commissioned officers who, with professionalism and a sense of responsibility, have contributed to the completion of the arduous training of the Contracted Women Soldiers, providing them with the physical and mental resources to carry out their mission.
With these few words, I wish you a good career and each of you individually good health, personal and family happiness.
Thank you.
(EC/IC)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
