Statement by Evanthia Savva, Head of Social Policy of AKEL, on International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

 

 

25 November 2022, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is another opportunity to remind ourselves once again that gender-based violence is the most widespread and at the same time the most silenced form of violence in modern societies. In our country, the number of complaints is increasing at an alarming rate, with the number of reported incidents reaching 5,000 per year, according to the date collected by the police.

Today is not a day for catchy slogans and wishful thinking. The tragic incidents that we have experienced in this country with the serial femicides and a number of other incidents of gender violence and abuse have revealed the patriarchal perception that runs through various institutions, the failure and inadequacy at the level of policies to combat the phenomenon and the absence of comprehensive policies.

AKEL reiterates its longstanding position for the adoption of measures aimed at preventing and combatting all forms of violence against women, including the review of the reservations outlined by the Republic of Cyprus regarding the Istanbul Convention. Gender-based violence as a consequence of social inequalities can only be tackled if specific policies are implemented that will lift women out of marginalisation, poverty and insecurity. Only if substantive state assistance is provided and policies against gender stereotypes are implemented. As far as support for victims of violence is concerned, it is more than imperative to create state structures for the accommodation and support of battered women and support programmes for victims.

Unfortunately, the outgoing government has done nothing in terms of effectively addressing the phenomenon and providing comprehensive support for victims. It has delegated this important piece of policy to NGO’s, which logically cannot replace the role that the state can and must play.

This is yet another reason why a change in the governance of the country is necessary.