More awareness campaigns and stronger prevention and support policies to eliminate violence against women is a must in Cyprus, according to Commissioner of Gender Equality Iosifina Antoniou.
In a message to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Friday, the Commissioner also said violence within the family has actually intensified since the pandemic’s outbreak.
“Statistical data shows that women and girls constitute the largest percentage of victims of all forms of violence and that since the outbreak of Covid-19 all types of violence against women and girls, especially domestic one, has intensified,” she said.
“Important steps have been taken in Cyprus, the most important being the signing and ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention, Combat and Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women…but more is needed to be done,” she added.
No political, legislative or administrative effort can by itself eliminate all inequalities and discrimination women suffer, she also said.
That’s why the need is there for the state to strengthen programs and actions aiming at deconstructing violence of all sorts and cultivating a culture of equality and full respect for Human Rights.
