Press Conference of Andros Kyprianou, General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL on the occasion of International Women’s Day

 

Press Office of the C.C. of AKEL, 8th March 2013

 

On the occasion of 8th March International Women’s Day, AKEL addresses warm greetings to all the women of Cyprus, Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Maronite, Latin and Armenian. AKEL conveys a warm greeting to every woman worker, unemployed, mother, young woman, farmer, intellectual and woman pensioner. We also address a greeting to the thousands of immigrant women in Cyprus.

 

The People’s Movement of the Left in Cyprus is filled with particular pride on 8th March. This is because the first women who broke the chains of prejudice and male-domination within the closed Cypriot society at the beginning of the last century were the women of the Left of Cyprus. Within the ranks of the Left arose great female figures such as Cleo Ioannidou, Katina Toumazou Nicholas and many others who were true revolutionaries of their time. Through the struggles of the organized women’s movement of the Left, women’s issues gained real meaning and a class content and subsequently many important rights were gained for Cypriot women.

 

For these and many other reasons on such a day the People’s Movement of the Left of Cyprus feels it has a special obligation: to never stop fighting for women, together with them, until the eradication of all discrimination and for parity to ensure that women attain the position really worthy of them in society. This is why we have noted with disappointment the absence of any women in the Ministerial Council of the Anastasiades Government. For sure, this absence cannot be covered by the promise that was allowed to circulate that that there would be some female presence in Vice-ministries which might be set up.

 

If we really want society to progress, women must not be confined to playing a “secondary” role, but a leading role.

 

Especially in conditions where socio-economic problems such as the present are exacerbating, it is obvious that women are the most vulnerable and easy victims. As AKEL, we affirm that we will stand on their side. We support the women’s movement and its demands for the upgrading of targeted programmes which provide for curbing unemployment among women; the elaboration of a National Action Plan to Combat Violence against Women and the full implementation of the National Action Plan for Gender Equality 2007-2013; the implementation of the Charter for Gender Equality in local self-government; the speeding up of the implementation of the National Strategy to tackle cancer; the elaboration of a new study and setting up of a new Ministerial working committee to lift the injustice against refugees from the maternal side. Furthermore, we support the women movement’s demands for the immediate introduction of a code of conduct for the mass media in connection with the images being reproduced on women through television programmes and commercials, as well as the operation of a call centre and website for information and guidance on women’s rights in all areas.

Today women have the right to study, work and vote. However, women are still suffering from a double exploitation and oppression; exploitation and oppression as a woman and working woman, as a tool to gain profit in every corner of the world. We address this woman today, the female victim of labour relations reminiscent of the Middle Ages; the victim of sexual harassment and domestic violence. AKEL assures that we will not stop struggling to break their chains.

 

On the occasion of International Women’s Day AKEL has decided that instead of distributing red carnations will shall present 1,000 Euros to support financially the centre of hospitality for battered women.