Despite the progress achieved throughout the years, the participation of Cypriot women in the political life of the country remains very low, President of the House of Representatives Yiannakis Omirou has stressed on Friday.
Omirou was addressing an event entitled “Women`s rights and gender equality: Experiences and lessons from the Northern-European Model” which was organized by the Cypriot House of Representatives and the Office of the European Parliament in Nicosia.
He pointed out that women`s representation in Cyprus corresponds only to 9,1% of the members of the Ministerial Council, 12,5% of the members of the Parliament, 20% of the members at the European Parliament, and 28,28% of senior management positions, 18% of the members at the municipal councils, while there is no woman mayor.
The House President underlined the need for the society and the political parties to join hands in order to improve the position of the Cypriot women in the society.
During the first part of the event the guest speakers from Finland, Holland and Sweden presented their countries` policies on gender equality.
The first part of the event was also addressed by Foreign Minister of Sweden Margot Wallstrom via a video message, head of the European Parliament`s Office in Nicosia Andreas Kettis, Cypriot MEP Takis Hadjigeorgiou also via a video message, Ambassador at the Finish Foreign Ministry Anne Lammila, Former Director for equal rights at the Dutch government Ina Brouwer and Ambassador of Sweden in Nicosia Klas Gierow.
During the second part of the event leaders or representatives of the Cypriot parliamentary political parties expressed their views as regards the need to increase women`s participation in the political life of Cyprus.
CNA was media sponsor of the event.
CNA/MK/GM/AAR/GCH 2016
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY