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- Ελληνικά
March 8 was designated in 1977 by the United Nations as International Women's Rights Day and International Peace Day, in commemoration of a major protest on March 8, 1857, by female textile workers in New York City who demanded better working conditions.
Since then, Women's Day has been a symbol of women's victory in the struggle for their rights, justice, peace and gender equality and aims to highlight women's contributions to society, the economy, the family and culture.
At the same time, it is a day which encourages us to recognise the injustices done to women and to commit ourselves together for a society in which gender equality is a reality.
Cyprus widely celebrates Women's Day every year with various events and activities. Besides, the Republic of Cyprus ratified the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 1985 by Law 78/1995 and subsequently, by Law 1(III)/2002, the Optional Protocol to the Convention was also ratified. The aforementioned Convention stipulates that each State Party shall take necessary and effective measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all its forms and manifestations.
One of the institutional responsibilities of the Office of the Law Commissioner is to monitor, prepare, supervise and actively participate as head of delegation in Periodic Reports on the compliance of the Republic of Cyprus with International Conventions. The obligations derive from International Human Rights Conventions of the United Nations, signed by Cyprus, which aim to promote and protect human rights.
Therefore, the Office of the Commissioner for Legislation, being responsible for the preparation of the National Report on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which the Republic is obliged to submit to the competent United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), under the Convention on the Rights of Women, has been invited in February 2025 to submit the 9th Periodic Report of the Republic, listing all recent developments in relation to women's rights for implementation and compliance with the provisions of the Convention. The National Report will include, inter alia, the progress achieved in our country towards the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women on the basis of equality between men and women, their human rights and fundamental freedoms in all areas, particularly in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres.
Further, the Commissioner for Legislation, as the competent Commissioner, is expected to be invited in the near future to present and support this National Report on Women's Rights at a hearing
