Plenary session - 9 March 2023
Ladies and gentlemen,
As a global day of celebration to highlight women's issues and promote women's rights, which through their struggles and sacrifices they have fought for, was established in 1977 by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 8 March. However, it was preceded by the celebration of National Women's Day in 1909 to commemorate the great protest of textile workers in 1857 in New York, who were demanding better working conditions.
With this year's slogan "Embrace Equality", we honour modern women for their action and creativity in all fields and especially for their contribution to the cohesion of the social fabric through the diverse roles they are called upon to play. This year's International Women's Day was accompanied by actions and events aimed at honouring women who have always struggled to achieve their rightful place in society, praising and exalting them, which makes us all proud.
It is our duty as a state to defend the equal and democratic representation of women at all levels of public life, as well as the provision of equal opportunities for advancement, in order to achieve true gender equality. Only then will we speak of a favoured state, when women are treated with equality, and their work, knowledge and strength enable them to earn the credit in all sectors and areas without exception.
Colleagues,
Despite the fact that women have gradually achieved some goals and won some self-evident rights, we still have significant steps to take before we reach a gender-equal society.
Although women have gradually achieved some goals and won some self-evident rights, we still have significant steps to take before we reach a gender-equal society. Unfortunately, everyday life shows that women are still victims of gender discrimination and gender-based violence, which grossly undermines their dignity and significantly violates their rights at work and in other areas.
Therefore, there is an urgent need to set specific targets to address the pay gap between men and women, to combat sexual harassment of women in the workplace or in public places, and to prevent and/or combat violence against women. We also welcome the work of the Mediterranean Institute for Social Gender Studies, as a non-profit organisation, which promotes and makes a positive contribution to social, political and economic programmes related to gender issues and women's rights at local and European level. I would like to mention at this point that the cooperation between the Parliament and the Mediterranean Institute for Gender Studies, within the framework of the conference "Gender and Education", organised and held by the Parliament last October, was excellent. On the occasion of the celebrations for International Women's Day, the Office of the President of the Parliament together with the Mediterranean Institute for Social Gender Studies organised a workshop yesterday on 'Integrating the gender dimension in public policies'. The aim of the workshop was to present and analyse the importance of gender mainstreaming in public laws and policies.
As the House of Representatives, we welcome the idea and implementation of the National Action Plan 2021-2025 of the Republic of Cyprus, aimed at the full implementation of Resolution 1325 "Women, Peace and Security", adopted by the UN Security Council in 2000, recognizing the disproportionate and specific impact of conflicts on the female population and highlighting the underestimated role of women in peacebuilding. The resolution is not exclusively aimed at protecting women's rights. The consolidation of women's rights also strengthens the quest for full and effective equality, which undoubtedly contributes to the well-being of societies and economic development.
Finally, bearing in mind the enduring need for the protection and security of every woman and every young girl, as well as raising awareness around this issue, we discuss and focus on this issue with due attention and weight. The foundation stone was laid with the establishment of the specific offence of femicide and the criminalisation of sexism, thus strengthening the existing legal framework, which ratified the Istanbul Convention, in an attempt to address any weaknesses and/or gaps. Rolling back regulatory actions in legislative and social contexts is the responsibility of all of us and requires synergy between the state, the legislature, organisations and civil society in general.
Equality, equal representation, equal opportunities, strengthening representativeness and democracy itself concerns us all.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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