-
.
- Ελληνικά
Contacts in New York and Washington
The Republic of Cyprus remains fully committed to strengthening women's rights and further promoting gender equality was assured by the Gender Equality Commissioner, Ms.Josie Christodoulou, at the 68th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which is taking place between 11 and 22 March at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
During the National Statement of the Republic of Cyprus, the Commissioner expressed the Government's determination to continue to work hard to implement full and substantive equality between men and women. She added that internationally, although steps forward have been taken, gender inequality persists, hindering the full realisation of the human rights of girls and women. She said that poverty at the international level, which disproportionately affects women and girls, results from inequalities of unequal access to education, health, economic security and employment opportunities. To achieve full and effective gender equality, he added, the causes of poverty must be addressed and equal access for men and women to resources and opportunities must be ensured through targeted policies that incorporate a gender perspective.
The Commissioner, referring to Cyprus' efforts to accelerate the promotion of gender equality, stressed that the aim through the National Strategy for Gender Equality is to implement horizontal gender mainstreaming in the policies, actions and activities of Ministries and Deputy Ministries, in cooperation with civil society, academic institutions and the business world. The main focus of efforts, she added, is the implementation of the gender budget, which, in its design, will take into account the needs of both genders.
Ms Christodoulou reaffirmed the commitment of the Republic of Cyprus to the principle of gender equality and the full implementation of the human rights of women and girls.
In the framework of the 68th Session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women, the Republic of Cyprus successfully organized an event in cooperation with the Permanent Missions of Panama and Portugal to the UN, the National Commission for Women of Jordan and the United Nations Organization for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), with the participation of the Council of Europe. The theme of the event was "Breaking the links between poverty and violence against women and girls". The conclusion of the event was the need to address the global regression in gender equality through synergies, gender mainstreaming in policies, as well as support for funding mechanisms and instruments that strengthen gender equality institutions and empower society.
It is noted that the Commissioner participated on 12 March in the Security Council Arria Formula meeting on "Tools for Action: Leveraging the synergies between the CEDAW and the Women, Peace and Security Framework", organised by the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN. Ms Christodoulou delivered a national statement on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus during the meeting. She discussed gender equality and women's rights issues and reaffirmed the Republic of Cyprus' determination to continue working towards the promotion of full and substantive gender equality.
Ms Christodoulou had separate meetings, inter alia, with Maria Andriani Kostopoulou, Chairperson of the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence "GREVIO", Yuriko Baches, Minister for Gender Equality of Luxembourg, Katarzyna Kotula, Minister for Equality of Poland, Amal Hamad, Minister for Women's Affairs of Palestine, the Secretary General of the National Commission for Women of Jordan Maha Ali, the President of the National Council for Women of Egypt Maya Morsy, the President of the National Commission for Women of Lebanon Claudine Aoun, as well as with heads of directorates of the United Nations agency for gender equality and women's empowerment "UN Women".
The official delegation of the Republic of Cyprus was joined by members of the National Women's Rights Mechanism.
Gender Equality Commissioner Ms. Josie Christodoulou, in the framework of her stay in the United States, paid a visit to Washington DC.
She met, at the White House, with Rachel Volgestein, Special Advisor to the President of the United States on Gender Equality Policy. During the meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes, there was an update from both sides on the actions and activities that the US and Cyprus are implementing on gender equality issues at the national and international level. Ms. Volgestein discussed with the Commissioner ways for further cooperation between the two countries on issues related to gender equality and women's rights.
Subsequently, Ms. Christodoulou had a meeting at the U.S. Department of State with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, Allison Lombardo. During the meeting, which lasted approximately 40 minutes, ways to further promote gender equality and strengthen women's rights in the context of human rights implementation were discussed.
In addition, the Commissioner was hosted by Georgetown University's Institute for Women, Peace and Security at a roundtable event and discussed with students Cyprus' efforts to strengthen women's rights at the national and global level. The event was moderated by Carla Koppell, Vice Chancellor and Director General of the Institute.
The Commissioner also had separate meetings with Sandra Pepera, Director of Equality, Women and Democracy at the National Democratic Institute and Kathleen Kuehnast, Director of the United States Institute of Peace. They discussed further promotion of women's rights, as well as further ways to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 "Women, Peace and Security".
During her stay she also visited the National Museum of Women in Art and had a meeting with the Director of the museum Susan Fisher.
During her contacts in Washington, the Commissioner was accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the USA Evangelos Savva and the Deputy Chief of the Diplomatic Mission Mirianthi Spathi.
(N/A)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
