A High-Level Conference titled "Women for the Mediterranean" is set to take place in Nicosia on Thursday and Friday. Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou, expressed her hopes in an interview with the Cyprus News Agency that the forum will produce targeted conclusions leading to a roadmap. She expects this roadmap to be implemented by the member states of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).

The Conference, co-organized by the UfM and the Office of the Commissioner for Gender Equality, will feature Ministers, officials, and representatives from international and multilateral organizations.

"This conference is crucial as it addresses high-level issues concerning gender equality. We will examine the current state of affairs in the Middle East and North African countries and determine the next steps for promoting women's rights," said Christodoulou.

She highlighted the significance of holding the conference in Nicosia, emphasizing Cyprus's role in advancing gender equality, reflected in the holistic approach of President Christodoulides' government.

Christodoulou outlined the Conference's focus on four main priorities. The first is women's economic empowerment, acknowledging that women's rights are not fully guaranteed in any region even in 2024. 

The second topic is violence against women and girls, which Christodoulou described as a "global scourge." She mentioned that one in three women in Cyprus and the region will experience some form of violence in their lifetime, with the actual number likely higher due to underreporting.

The third issue is gender and climate change, noting that climate change impacts women differently than men. "We need gendered policies to ensure the climate crisis affects women and men equally," she said.

The fourth topic concerns the media's portrayal of gender equality issues, examining whether the media perpetuates stereotypes and prejudices and its role in addressing violence and inequalities. Christodoulou emphasized that these issues are interconnected, and the conference aims to create a roadmap for UfM member states to adopt and implement at the ministerial level.

The Commissioner noted several steps the Cyprus government has taken to promote gender equality, including extending maternity leave to 22 weeks for the first child and implementing compulsory pre-school education from age four. Additionally, the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare is developing nursery and care structures for the elderly and people with disabilities, with 36 planned facilities.

Christodoulou highlighted ongoing efforts to deconstruct stereotypes and empower women through holistic approaches. She mentioned the implementation of gender budgeting, with technical support from the European Commission expected to be finalized by the end of 2024.

Reflecting on a year of governance, she observed tangible results and increased visibility for equality issues, aiming to foster critical thinking among young people.

The Commissioner acknowledged positive strides in the Cypriot media regarding gender equality. Ten years ago, femicides were reported with stereotypical and sexist language, but now they are presented more accurately. However, some media still portray these issues in stereotypical ways. For example, the women's football world championship received little media coverage, but a sexual harassment case involving a coach garnered significant attention.

Christodoulou emphasized the need for balanced coverage, noting that while it's important to report harassment, failing to highlight athletes' achievements sends a negative message to young women. She affirmed the Office's openness to partnerships and training on addressing sexist language and media portrayal of women and men.

The Conference will begin with an Opening Ceremony on Thursday afternoon, followed by three round-table discussions. A session with journalists on the media's role in gender equality will take place Thursday morning. Four more sessions are scheduled for Friday. The Conference will be conducted in English, with French and Arabic interpretations available.