Cyprus is no exception to the global movement of women breaking down barriers and achieving success. Traditional gender roles are shifting across the Western world, and Cyprus is taking significant steps towards redefining gender norms. Despite facing challenges, women in Cyprus are making significant strides in entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. This is further recognised and supported by local and EU-originated organizations that support female entrepreneurs.

The challenges in Cyprus that female professionals typically encounter include, among others, a gender pay gap, access to opportunities for leadership roles, and training and support in starting ventures and businesses. However, there are organizations that are taking steps to overcome these hurdles and empower women in Cyprus, and individuals paving the way for aspiring professional women.

Overcoming these challenges is akin to rewiring Cyprus’ perception that duties, responsibilities, and choices are assigned to people during their early childhood. Maria Angeli, a senior instructor at the University of Nicosia, published a study on gender stereotypes in Cyprus’ schools, in which she stated that “the long tradition of women’s social role being attached to the care of the home and children might explain why more women choose studies related to care, such as teaching young children or nursing, which are considered to be an extension of the role of women in the household.” 

It is clear that women are nurturing professional and personal paths that are reshaping cultural norms across the island. In this article, we explore some examples of women in Cyprus who are making an impact in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), the private and public sectors, as well as organizations which support female entrepreneurs.

We would like to note that our mentions in this article do not fully represent the scope of change and growth of involvement of women-led initiatives or achievements. Our mentions are indicative that there are steps forward being made, with many made in the past, many more to come, and much more in-between.

Women in Cyprus are making resounding progress across sectors including STEM, though still far behind other countries. The country of Georgia, for example, recorded that over 50% of professionals employed across STEM are women. Cyprus’ STEM fields do not compare in this regard, as a mere 4% of professionals are women. 

However, there are notable examples, including scientist Eleni Charitonos, who is the first Cypriot Analog Astronaut and has made her way to NASA. She has participated in three analog astronaut missions, and is continuing to pave the way for future Cypriot women looking to impact the STEM fields.

Observing Cyprus’ efforts in gender diversity within its parliament, no more than 19% of parliamentary roles have been filled by women. However, some steps have been made in the inclusion of women in Cyprus’ parliament and government. To provide some perspective, Cyprus has elected its first female President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, who is a strong proponent for women in politics. She is also an ambassador of the Women Political Leaders (WPL), a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women in politics across the world.

In Cyprus’ government, eleven women have recently been appointed to leadership roles within the new president’s cabinet. Athena Michaelidou has been appointed as the new Minister of Education, Culture, Sport, and Youth Office. The new Minister of Health, Popi Kanari, brings 37 years of state service experience to the table. Additionally, Anna Koukkides-Procopiou has taken the helm at the Justice Ministry, supported by over a decade of experience in leadership positions within the corporate world.

Female professionals also have started making an impact in the entrepreneurial space. According to a CyprusInno report, women accounted for 20% of businesses founded in Cyprus in 2020. The EU average of business founded by women was at 16% in 2020, highlighting that Cyprus was ahead of the curve. 

Cypriot women have access to several EU initiatives and local organizations dedicated to helping them navigate leadership positions, and develop their businesses. Two examples of women-led and founded businesses in Cyprus are Theramir and Malloc, both of which are “technology-first” companies making an impact in their respective sectors. 

Focusing on improving oncological treatments, Theramir, was co-founded by Marianna Prokopi-Demetriades, a molecular biologist who is working alongside her co-founder, Costas Pitsillides, to create and provide more accurate and personalized cancer treatments. 

Innovative and entirely woman-led business, Malloc has made its way to the world’s most prestigious start-up accelerator, Y-Combinator, and is continuing to shape the way we protect our digital privacy and security. Their three female co-founders also take up the mantle of the C-suite executive roles; with Maria Terzi as their CEO, Artemis Kontou as their COO, and Liza Charalambous fulfilling their CTO role. 

Natasa Pilides, former Minister of Energy, Commerce, and Industry, current Deputy Minister of Shipping and General Director of the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency, expressed her thoughts on Cyprus’ efforts towards equity, stating that “Women in Cyprus have long fought to break the glass ceiling which, as indicated by statistics across the private and public sector, continues to exist. Progress in recent years has been notable, yet a lot still needs to be done to ensure future generations do not continue to be plagued by bias, prejudice and lack of equal opportunities. 

Education and culture play a crucial role in shaping and directing young minds, and hopefully the much-needed reform in education will place equality at its core. Infrastructure and social support for childcare also requires enhancement so that women in business do not bear an unequal burden compared to men in childcare responsibilities.”

To support female professionals and entrepreneurs in Cyprus, several organizations have formed to offer access to funding, mentoring, and wider networks of like-minded professionals. One such initiative, Women TechEU, offers high caliber coaching and mentoring to female founders, and provides support in the process of funding. The program supports deep tech startups founded by women, and offers an individual initial grant of €75,000, coaching and mentoring under the EU’s Women Leadership Program, and access to InvestEU and Enterprise Europe Network led activities.

Considering local organizations making efforts in shaping the future of women in business, AIPFE and BPW Cyprus are ones to watch. AIPFE, an EU founded organization in 1987 dedicated to redefining women’s roles in society and helping them engage in professional matters. 

In 2001, they established a Cyprus chapter; a woman-led organization that focuses on propagating the involvement of women in politics, in STEM and other leadership roles. Women within their network have reached notable achievements, including “Stella Kyriakidou for her work with Europa Donna, Photini Papadopoulou for her work with the Red Cross, and Tasoula Hadjitofi for her involvement in the restitution of stolen treasures back to Cyprus.”

The Cyprus Federation of Business and Professional Women, BPW Cyprus aligns with efforts similar to AIPFE, empowering women in business and professional sectors to connect with each other and make an impact in their respective fields. Their core impacts include “ equal participation in decision-making centers, for equal opportunities, for the elimination of stereotypes and prejudices, for everything that keeps women on the sidelines.”

Women across the island (not only those mentioned in this article, but much, much more) are making waves in entrepreneurship, STEM, and the public sector; despite facing challenges such as the gender pay gap and gender stereotypes deeply embedded in Cyprus’ culture. By supporting and empowering women in the workplace, Cyprus can create a more diverse, inclusive, and successful community.

Cyprus still has ways to go regarding gender equality in its entirety. It must be highlighted, however, that Cyprus has made progress in creating conditions for equal pay. According to the Cyprus News Agency, the gender pay gap was reduced to just 9% in 2022. Findings from the European Institute for Gender Equality’s Index in 2022 indicate that Cyprus has a 57/100 rating; a rating of 100 signifies complete equality across the board. 

The largest inequalities are found in the domains of power, time, and knowledge. For example, only 25% of ministerial positions in the government have been filled by women. Additionally, only 9% of boards within the largest companies include women. 

Cyprus’ public and private sectors should continue to focus on establishing systems that enable gender equality throughout business’ structures, as well as aiding in redefining gender roles. The island’s cultural approach to the duties and responsibilities of genders should align with the changes we are seeing globally.