Gender equality should not be seen as just another problem to be solved, but as the solution to many challenges and problems facing the world, the Commissioner for Equality of the United Nations said in a statement at the Beijing+30 Regional Review Meeting in Geneva Gender of the Republic of Cyprus, Jozis Christodoulou.
“Next year, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Although progress has been made since then, the global community is lagging behind in achieving meaningful gender equality by 2030. Progress is slow, while backlashes for women's and girls' rights around the world persist,” she added.
She noted that historical unequal power relations between women and men, stereotypical gender roles and prejudices deeply rooted in societies continue to hinder the full realization of gender equality.
"We must step up our efforts to secure women's rights around the world. We highlight the immense and urgent need to review the basis of our principles and values as derived from the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action," he added.
As he said, Cyprus is fully committed to intensifying all efforts to achieve gender equality, eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and girls, promoting, protecting and fulfilling their rights, as well as providing access to equal opportunities for their full, equal and meaningful participation in all areas of life.
"The recent election of Cyprus to the Human Rights Council and the fact that gender equality and women's rights are among our priorities speaks volumes and is unwavering proof of our commitment. Cyprus has adopted a comprehensive policy on gender equality, in accordance with the provisions of the international framework on gender equality, including the Beijing Platform for Action, the CEDAW convention as well as the "Sustainable Development Goals" (SDG) 2030 agenda We confirm our commitment to the full and effective implementation of these tools," he added.
In this context, Ms. Christodoulou continued, the Cypriot Government has set as a horizontal priority the integration of the gender dimension in public policies and actions, including the state budget, in order to create a political, economic and social framework that takes into account the gender.
"To achieve this, we have formulated the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2024-2026 following a series of public consultations, including with civil society and women's rights organisations, which demonstrated that a combination top-down and bottom-up approach can lead to meaningful results. According to Beijing's critical sectors, the Strategy includes new pillars and actions," he noted.
Through the use of the tool of gender mainstreaming in all areas of public policies, said Ms. Christodoulou, the Strategy aims to deconstruct gender stereotypes, promoting equal participation in all areas of life.
"Reiterating the political will of the government, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, all the Ministers and Presidential Commissioners, signed last February a Political Declaration on Gender Equality. The Declaration emphasizes that all necessary measures should be taken to promote gender equality in the public service, demonstrating zero tolerance for sexism, sexual harassment and gender discrimination,” he added.
She also stated that gender equality cannot be achieved as long as violence against women remains a brutal reality.
“Preventing and combating all forms of violence against women and girls are among our highest priorities. We strongly condemn gender-based violence, including sexual violence and sexism in all forms and manifestations, online and offline, in the public and private spheres, in times of peace, crisis and conflict. "Sexual and gender-based violence is a significant violation of women's human rights and an obstacle to the progress of all women and girls worldwide," she added.
He noted that to effectively prevent and combat gender-based violence, Cyprus adopted a comprehensive legislative framework that recognizes that women are negatively affected by gender-based violence as a consequence of inequality.
"The fact that Cyprus has established the crime of femicide as a separate, specific offense is of great importance. Legislation has also been introduced to combat sexism and online sexism and stalking. The National Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Violence against Women are the two main policy documents that guide us in addressing all forms of gender-based violence in a coherent and comprehensive manner,” he added.
Ms. Christodoulou said, in addition, that "as we approach the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, it is more important than ever to reflect on its principles and values, to assess our progress and our shared commitments to gender equality and the advancement of all women and girls'.
"The path to sustainable development is through investing in women's rights. We should not see gender equality as just another problem to be solved, but as the solution to many challenges and problems facing the world. It is our shared responsibility to recognize and promote the human rights of all women and girls," she concluded.
Source: KYPE
