The vision of a Europe based on equal opportunities, mutual respect, diversity and resilience free from all forms of gender-based violence, discrimination and inequality is a shared one and achieving it requires coordinated action, consistency, perseverance, vision, a genuine willingness to cooperate, Justice Minister Costas Fytiris said on Monday, addressing a two-day conference titled "The prevention and combating of gender-based cyber violence against girls."

The conference is organized on the framework of the Cyprus EU Presidency and brings together top officials from the EU and the UN, academia, technocrats and experts, scientists, representatives of groups and organizations and other stakeholders.

In his address, read by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice George Panteli, the Minister also noted that achieving the shared vision to end online violence against girls, also requires strong political will, so that we may advance further achievements in the field of gender equality and human rights, while at the same time safeguarding and strengthening the hard-won gains achieved through decades of struggle and advocacy.

The Minister went on to say that the theme of the Conference reflects a rapidly evolving social phenomenon with multiple, intersecting and, regrettably, highly detrimental impacts on the lives of girls who experience it.

"Despite the existence of strong legislative and policy tools at both European and international level to address this phenomenon, much more remains to be done, particularly in the areas of prevention, information, training and awareness-raising of society and professionals alike, with a view to preventing and fully eradicating gender-based cyber violence", the Minister said.

He also noted that dismantling of deeply entrenched stereotypes and perceptions regarding the roles of women and men in our societies remains a key element in this collective effort.

In his address, the Minister also underlined that Cyprus Presidency has advanced complementary flagship actions at both European and international level, including targeted initiatives within the framework of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, aimed at promoting effective prevention strategies, enhancing victim protection, and reinforcing the engagement of all stakeholders, particularly men and boys, in efforts to eliminate gender based violence.

At national level, he added, Cyprus has undertaken significant reforms in recent years, establishing a robust legislative framework that recognises and criminalises all forms of gender-based violence, including cyber violence and cyber harassment, online sexism, stalking, as well as the most extreme form of violence against women — femicide.

''This legislative framework is reinforced by a comprehensive set of strategies, policies and measures, such as the Gender Equality Strategy 2024—2026 and the National Strategy and National Action Plan for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women 2023—2028'', he said.

He also expressed confidence that the discussions and exchanges of expertise that will take place during this two-day Conference will lead to more targeted and more effective interventions, synergies and actions at European level.

Source: CNA(ΚΥΠΕ)