The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Ms. Marilena Evangelou, participated in the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development (UN) in New York.
The Deputy Minister emphasized, within the context of the National Statement of the Republic of Cyprus, the urgent actions and reforms that must be undertaken to achieve the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda with fair, effective, and inclusive social policies.
Reference was made to the broader social protection policies of Cyprus, such as, among others, the EEE, the Minimum Wage, the General Health System, the Long-term Care Services, as well as to the modernization of services to respond to the green and digital transition.
Emphasis was placed on the recent reforms of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare in the EEE, particularly on strengthening the Social Intervention Mechanism, which aims to activate beneficiaries by integrating them into the labor market through training programs or psychosocial support.
Emphasizing the importance of policies for reconciling family and professional life, so as to facilitate parents both in their work and in the care of their children, Ms. Evangelou presented the benefits arising from the Childcare and Education Subsidy Scheme for children up to 4 years old of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare. Reference was also made to the parental leave allowance and the expansion of paternity leave coverage to all fathers regardless of family status.
Within the context of social inclusion of individuals with disabilities, reference was made to the “National Strategy for Disability 2018-2028.”
On the margins of the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare had a meeting with the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. LI Junhua, during which they exchanged views on the challenges at the international level regarding the implementation of the Social Agenda 2030 and the Social Development Goals. Ms. Evangelou informed Mr. Junhua about the social policy implemented by Cyprus, while the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs emphasized the importance of Cyprus’s participation as a member state of the European Union (EU) in the Commission’s work.
Ms. Evangelou also conducted bilateral meetings with the Minister of Labor, Welfare, and Social Protection of Portugal, Ms. Ana Mendes Godinho, the Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs of Costa Rica, Mr. Alejandro Solano Ortiz, and the Deputy Minister of Social Development of Jordan, Mr. Barq Al-Dmour, during which they agreed on the exchange of best practices on issues related to broader social policy.
During her stay in New York, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare met with Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, as well as Mr. Kyriakos Papastylianou, the President of the Federation of Cypriots in America, and members of the Cypriot Diaspora, with whom they discussed the social challenges faced by the Diaspora, as well as ways for further cooperation.
Andreas Vassiliou, CEO of Ablebook, and Andreas Apostolou, Member of the EDEK party, present a significant initiative for improving the working conditions of people with disabilities. Through this proposed initiative, which will be discussed in the House of Representatives, we express our commitment to a society that respects the rights of all citizens, promotes equality, and addresses economic disparities.
According to existing legislation, if a person with disabilities is employed and receives a salary above €512, the difference is deducted from their disability allowance. This measure negatively affects the prospects of professional advancement for people with disabilities, as it hinders them from achieving full autonomy and economic independence. We strongly support the increase of the minimum threshold for the salary of people with disabilities from €512 to €1000, aligning it with the minimum wage of an employed person. This will promote their employment without restrictions and contribute to strengthening the economy with increased contributions to Social Insurance and the General Healthcare System (GeSY). We also propose the separation of the disability allowance from the European Union Support Framework (EESF), thus creating conditions for a fair distribution of resources and enhancing the employment of people with disabilities.
In this context, we invite our colleagues to support this initiative for the promotion of equality and opportunities for all citizens. Our society must be a place that treats all citizens with respect and equality, offering them the opportunity to fully contribute to society. With this initiative, we aim to promote a vibrant society where everyone has the possibility to succeed and pursue their dreams.
Thank you for your support in this critical initiative for the creation of a more equal and just society.
Those with large families, recipients of the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI), and people with disabilities (PWD) will benefit from the support measures announced by the government, but with a delay.
It is reminded that on October 19, the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, announced, among other things: 1/ The inclusion of students from large families in the child allowance, 2/ An increase in the child allowance by 5%, 3/ The one-time payment of 120 euros to people with disabilities (PWD) receiving mobility allowance, and 4/ The one-time payment of 300 euros to recipients of the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI) receiving housing loan interest subsidy and 500 euros to GMI beneficiaries with a severe disability receiving housing loan interest subsidy.
ThemaOnline, following the aforementioned announcements, contacted the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare to inquire about when and how many people will benefit from these measures.
Regarding the increase in the child allowance, a source from the Deputy Ministry stated on our website that this measure requires legislative regulation, and following that, the child allowance will be increased by 5% and provided to eligible recipients.
Regarding the inclusion of students from large families in the child allowance, according to the recent announcements by the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Marilena Evangelou, a new category of beneficiaries will be created, in which 50% of the child allowance will be paid to students from large families until they obtain their first degree. This will apply to students up to 23 years of age for girls and 24 years of age for boys, provided that they are enrolled in a higher education institution.
One-time payments to recipients of the Minimum Guaranteed Income (MGI) and people with disabilities (PWD)
Regarding the one-time payment for MGI recipients, the same source explained that this measure does not require legislative regulation, as it is a one-time payment, and the amount will be given once.
As for the timing of the one-time payment, it is expected to be provided to recipients before the end of 2023. It should be noted that there are 2,557 potential recipients for this benefit.
Regarding the one-time payment for people with disabilities (ΑμεΑ), the same source from the Ministry of Social Welfare mentioned that, in this case as well, the measure does not require legislative regulation.
The payment is expected to be made to eligible recipients before the end of 2023. The number of potential recipients for this benefit is 4,139.
The expulsion of a 13-year-old person with a disability from Agia Triada beach in Paralimni is being reported by their parents.
According to a complaint they sent to Commissioners and relevant authorities, which is also held by “F,” a few days ago, they visited the beach, and there, for an insignificant and unreasonable reason as they describe it, the person responsible for their sunbeds and umbrellas verbally and physically attacked them, threatened them, and forced them to leave.
“We are a family of five, and our eldest son, aged 13, has disabilities. On 23/08/23, we visited Agia Triada beach around 12:00, which was crowded. There was only one available beach chair for disabled individuals, which we moved slightly to the left to be able to get our 13-year-old into the water. While the father was swimming with his three children, he noticed that there was a disturbance on the shore.”
The municipal official shouted, stating that the sunbeds could not be moved. Ignoring the explanations from the mother, he demanded that they move their belongings since they couldn’t use the sunbed anymore. He grabbed the sunbed and hit it on the ground.
The father, thinking it was a misunderstanding, tried to talk to the municipal worker, who continued to shout. ‘I presented the reasons why we needed the sunbed, but he remained stubborn and kept diverting. Due to his behavior and considering my family, I decided to leave. This man started to follow me. He yelled and continuously threatened that he would hit me if I dared to touch any sunbed. When I approached my family, he grabbed my left arm and attempted to push me twice. I pushed my hand away, stating that he had no right to touch me. He replied that he didn’t care if he lost his job or faced consequences because he would hit me.’
The other two children, aged 11 and 5, began to cry and asked to leave. The family called the police, who arrived at the scene and took statements.
On the other hand, the Mayor of Paralimni, Theodoros Pyrillis, informed ‘F’ that he would personally investigate the complaint. If any wrongdoing has occurred, he stated that the appropriate measures would be taken.”
Every individual, without exception, has the right to life. This should be considered a given. In recent years, significant steps have been taken regarding people with disabilities, as society tends to become more informed about these issues, developing greater sensitivity and understanding.
What many may not know is that in Cyprus, there are supported living residences for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. To shed light on this significant work of social integration taking place in these residences, Litsa Charalambous spoke to CITY. We met her at a residence for individuals with autism located in Limassol. Ms. Charalambous studied occupational therapy, pursued a postgraduate degree in equality and education issues, and later completed her doctoral thesis, which focused on the assessment and training of individuals with disabilities for their inclusion in the labor market. Subsequently, she attended numerous European conferences abroad but felt that the knowledge she gained couldn’t be effectively utilized in Cyprus.
Every individual, without exception, has the right to life. This should be considered a given. In recent years, significant steps have been taken regarding people with disabilities, as society tends to become more informed about these issues, developing greater sensitivity and understanding.
What many may not know is that in Cyprus, there are supported living residences for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. To shed light on this significant work of social integration taking place in these residences, Litsa Charalambous spoke to CITY. We met her at a residence for individuals with autism located in Limassol. Ms. Charalambous studied occupational therapy, pursued a postgraduate degree in equality and education issues, and later completed her doctoral thesis, which focused on the assessment and training of individuals with disabilities for their inclusion in the labor market. Subsequently, she attended numerous European conferences abroad but felt that the knowledge she gained couldn’t be effectively utilized in Cyprus.
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities represents a milestone in global history. It clarifies how all the rights and freedoms apply to these individuals with the aim of ensuring the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights. It also outlines the obligations of United Nations member states and suggests measures to satisfy the rights of persons with disabilities.
Following an evaluation of Cyprus on how well it complies with this convention, approximately 70 negative points were identified, leading the Cypriot government to essentially establish supported living accommodations.
From 2014 to 2020, eleven new supported living accommodations were established in all the provinces of Cyprus. After a new announcement, another seven accommodations were put into operation in March 2020. Then, in September 2021, four more homes were opened, two for individuals with autism in Limassol and one home for five individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Larnaca province.
“We bear full responsibility from the beginning to set up these homes, but the state covers the financial support through European funds. The organization is closely monitored and supervised. Every month, we provide a report on each individual, their visits, when they leave the house, and the therapies they receive. The social inclusion department of the Ministry of Labor also visits the homes twice a week to ensure the proper functioning of the residence.”
Difficult cases
These homes were called upon to manage the most difficult cases. Authorities had in mind three specific individuals who were very challenging to handle; they were moved from place to place, and no solution could be found.
“We are proud that these individuals came to us, and despite there being no way to manage them, we succeeded. These are individuals who have not learned to have functional relationships. Families reach a dead end, and with our supervision, they consider it a miracle because they now see a different person. The change in their behavior is staggering. It is a great joy for us, albeit with a lot of effort, to help individuals with autism,” emphasized Ms. Charalambous.
The approach they use in these homes is called ‘positive behavior support.’ In other words, there is no punishment; you set aside the negatives, ignore them, and focus only on small, positive behaviors to reinforce. With this model, you highlight positive communication methods, which, as it seems, works in such cases.
Their daily life
People with autism living in these homes follow a routine, which is very important for them: for example, they wake up in the morning, take a shower, and brush their teeth. Furthermore, there are person-centered programs. Sessions with psychologists or visits from someone involved in the arts, for instance, are conducted to work with each individual separately. Activities are provided by specialists as well as by the staff as part of socialization. In some cases, staff members accompany individuals outside the home to eat at a place they like.
“We want to make their lives as normal as possible. Of course, this changes depending on each person’s psychological state. When someone doesn’t feel so good psychologically, the decision is made to go outside for a walk. We look at each individual separately, their mood, and their desires,” noted Ms. Charalambous.
As Ms. Charalambous mentioned, the many organized activities resemble an institution, something they want to avoid. In general, the goal of these homes is to transition from Institutional Care to Care in the Community, which means deinstitutionalizing people with disabilities, many of whom lived in closed care units.
In the home where individuals with autism reside, 95% of the activities that take place are individual. However, sometimes they can all be together, always under the supervision of the staff, for example, in the living room of the house to play a group game.
“The fact that they are housemates does not mean they have to become friends. We certainly have the goodwill for them to have good relationships with each other. However, we will pursue a group activity only if they themselves desire it and if such a group activity brings them joy. If it causes them stress, why should they do it?” is what it states.
“The house is quite spacious, with several rooms, and each person has their own room. ‘Now, after years, they know each other, they know who their housemates are, but they don’t bother each other,'” is what it says.
On the contrary, the situation in the homes for people with intellectual disabilities in Larnaca is entirely different. There, they live like a family and all have their coffee together. However, as mentioned to us, this is not the primary goal. “‘The main concern is to have a good quality of life and to do things they themselves desire,'” emphasized.
The goals
Asked about the goals she has set, she mentioned that regarding the professional aspect, the goal is for this organization to grow, as there are thoughts to take on more homes.
“I am someone who loves what I do very much, and I like to meet needs wherever they exist. I certainly study things thoroughly before taking any action so that when the time comes to implement them, I know I can accomplish them in the best possible way, as I committed from the beginning,” she said.
Her desire is for the “transition” program to become a recognized educational college. “I don’t believe I will change the world. But we all have an obligation in our own field to do whatever we can to take a step to change our surroundings,” she emphasized.
Message for the future
Ms. Charalambous views positive developments regarding the rights of people with disabilities but expressed her dissatisfaction with the promotion of models for children with “special abilities,” which she considers discriminatory.
“It’s not about special abilities. These are individuals like us who have some disability. This is how we should say things. It’s called a disability; they are not people with special needs. In conventions and records recognized worldwide, the terms used are these. We say intellectual disability or physical disability. And certainly, you don’t characterize people by their disability but by their personality,” she concluded.
Starting from next Monday, September 25th, people with disabilities and individuals aged 75 and older will be served with priority at the bank branches’ counters.
Special signs for this specific change are already in place at the bank service areas, and this adjustment will come into effect next week through legislative regulation.
In particular, it is noted that the member banks of the Association of Banks in Cyprus, in compliance with the provisions of Law 9(I)/2023, which stipulates priority service in customer service areas for specific population groups, will provide priority service to individuals with disabilities and individuals aged 75 and older in their branches. Relevant informational signs have been posted prominently in the customer service areas of the member banks’ branches.
It is further reported that the aforementioned legislative provision applies to both public and private businesses serving the public and requires a designated waiting queue. At the same time, it is noted that most banks have already implemented this measure for some time, in an effort to provide better and more immediate service to vulnerable population groups, for whom waiting can be detrimental to their health.
Inaccessible Medical Clinics for PwDs – Out of 1447, only 34 declare accessibility
The overwhelming majority of healthcare providers in the Nicosia District have stated that their premises are not accessible to people with disabilities. This emerges from a survey conducted by the Commissioner of Supervision of the Ministry of Health, Christodoulos Kaisis, following related complaints he received.
It is worth noting that the issue of accessibility for people with disabilities to private and specialist doctors, as well as to laboratories contracted with GESY, is not the first time it has come to the forefront. In the past, the Commissioner of GESY documented numerous gaps and unjustifiable omissions in a report. Moreover, many complaints have already been recorded from people with disabilities who, due to a lack of parking spaces and difficulties in access, were unable to visit their doctors.
The issue is expected to be a subject of discussion in the upcoming session of the Health Committee of the Parliament, following a request for a self-initiated investigation by the Green Party Member of Parliament, Alexandra Attalidou. Furthermore, the Commissioner of GESY, Christodoulos Kaisis, sent a letter regarding the matter to the Health Insurance Organization, expressing concern that on the organization’s website, where citizens can check if a doctor’s or laboratory’s premises are accessible for people with disabilities, the vast majority of providers themselves declare that they are not accessible.
According to the Commissioner of Supervision, in recent times, he has received phone complaints from beneficiaries who, while searching for information in the GESY’s information system in an attempt to select a healthcare service provider, noticed that all providers or the vast majority state in their contact details that they are not accessible to people with disabilities
The beneficiaries were not only people with disabilities but also individuals who, due to old age or temporary health issues, wanted to select a healthcare facility that was easily accessible to receive health care services.
Indeed, Mr. Kaisis suggests that the information provided on the OAAY website regarding accessibility may have been added recently following an announcement made by OAAY on July 7, 2020. At that time, they asked providers to declare the accessibility of their building facilities for people with mobility issues.
The Commissioner for Medical Services conducted an investigation into this matter concerning GHS (General Healthcare System) doctors in the Nicosia district. According to the results, the overwhelming majority of providers in the GHS system have declared that they are not accessible to people with disabilities. Moreover, in most categories of doctors that were investigated, it appears that none of the providers are accessible.
“The above finding,” the Commissioner notes, “raises doubts about the accuracy of the entries, as it is reported that the received information was posted without concern for the very low percentages of accessibility declared.” “The above finding,” as indicated by the Commissioner, “raises doubts about the accuracy of the entries, as it is reported that there is no access even in providers who operate in facilities of large hospitals. This information must be precise to facilitate individuals facing access difficulties in selecting the provider they will visit. Furthermore, we are concerned about the OAAY’s stance, as it appears that after a significant period from the announcement dated July 7, 2020, in which providers were called upon to declare the accessibility of the building facilities they use, the received information was posted without any consideration for the very low percentages of accessibility declared,” he states.
The ultimate goal, as Mr. Kaisis concludes in his letter, “is the complete resolution of the issue of accessibility of healthcare service providers to ensure full access for people with disabilities and all beneficiaries in all healthcare service facilities within the framework of GHS. However, until this goal is achieved, we kindly request your comments and views on the declarations of accessibility of building facilities used by GHS providers for people with disabilities, and to be informed about your actions on the matter.”
As per the information provided in the letter by the Commissioner of Oversight of GESY, out of the 1447 healthcare providers contracted with GESY in the Nicosia District, only 34 have declared to OAAY that their premises are accessible for people with disabilities. Specifically, out of the 259 adult personal doctors, only eleven have declared their premises as accessible, while none of the 75 pediatric doctors contracted with GESY declared their premises as accessible. Even the specialist orthopedic doctors, who one might assume would have and declare accessible premises for individuals with mobility issues, out of the 71, only three declared having accessible clinics.
The question that arises is whether indeed only 34 clinics in the entire Nicosia district are accessible to people with disabilities, which is a significant issue that OAAY needs to address promptly, or if for some reason, the premises were inaccurately marked as non-accessible on the organization’s website. This is a question that is expected to be answered in the Parliament.
Gender Equality Commissioner – Consultation on national strategy
Presidential Palace, Lefkosia, Cyprus
The Commissioner for Gender Equality, Ms Josie Christodoulou, holds broad consultation on the formulation of the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2024-2026.
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to today’s broad consultation, with the exclusive goal of accelerating the promotion of gender equality in our country. Promoting equality between women and men is one of the cross-cutting priorities of the President of the Republic’s governance program and a personal commitment of his own.
We are well aware that the full protection of women’s human rights is an important issue and a prerequisite for the social and economic development of all countries. Gender equality means that the needs and human rights of both women and men should be considered equal, as should their responsibilities. Women and men have biological differences that should be taken into account when planning legislation, policies, actions, and measures, while at the same time, women and men should participate equally in decision-making processes, free from gender-based stereotypes and biases.
Through a comprehensive approach, the goal is to promote the active participation of women in public life, creating a gender-inclusive political, economic, and social framework, an environment that is friendly and welcoming to women and men alike. To achieve this goal and create the necessary conditions in all areas, targeted actions and policies are being developed, and the tool of gender mainstreaming is being utilized in government policies and actions.
At the same time, equal distribution of responsibilities in the care economy is promoted, active participation of women in the labor market and decision-making positions, and the strengthening and creation of new structures to facilitate parenting. Toward this direction, actions are being designed and implemented to embed the culture of gender equality and to break down outdated stereotypes and biases.
At the same time, gender equality is achieved using different tools and at different rates. It is recognized that the horizontal integration of the gender dimension into a country’s policies contributes to the establishment of equality between men and women, as gender is taken into account in the planning and shaping of legislation, policies, actions, and measures. Any policies, actions, and initiatives cannot be successful if the views of civil society, all of you, experts, and collaborators are not considered.
However, gender equality is entrenched through different means and at different rates. It is recognized that the horizontal integration of the gender dimension into the policies of a state contributes to the establishment of gender equality, as gender is taken into account in the planning and shaping of legislation, policies, actions, and measures. Any policies, actions, and efforts in this regard are influenced by external factors such as global crises and demographic shifts. Global economic crises and challenges, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, have further highlighted gender inequalities:
During the pandemic, social roles attributed to women and men have become even more evident, with women, for the most part, juggling family/personal life and professional life from home, often at the expense of their personal time. Simultaneously, there has been a significant increase in cases of domestic violence against women during the same period. The Russian invasion of Ukraine highlighted the different needs of women and children refugees, an increase in sexual violence, and the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation. At the same time, the climate and energy crisis affects men and women differently, and the equal participation of both genders in decision-making centers to address these issues is crucial. However, in the realm of gender equality, there are no “us vs. them, we vs. they.” Gender equality, or rather gender inequality, is a global issue, and we should all be united in this struggle. It’s important to emphasize that the promotion of equality is not the problem; it’s the solution, and multilateralism plays a critical role in this direction.
In this context, the establishment of a culture of gender equality is a fundamental priority and an urgent goal of our Office, which is being strengthened and enhanced. Among other tasks, it is responsible for preparing and coordinating the new Strategy for Gender Equality 2024-2026 in collaboration with all ministries and deputy ministries. Our mission is complex and certainly not easy. Changing mindsets requires persistence and a strategic effort, which we all contribute to. The incorporation of gender dimensions into foreign policy is required for this reason.
In this context, I would like to mention specific institutional reforms. On March 28, 2023, the President of the Republic, during an event on International Women’s Day, referred to the establishment of the Office and its strengthening.
We are currently working on a draft law for the establishment of the Office, while recognizing the longstanding contribution of the National Mechanism for Women’s Rights and its members. We are in consultations to ensure its integration. The Office has also been strengthened with human resources.
By decision of the Council of Ministers, the Office of the Commissioner for Gender Equality, in collaboration with all ministries and deputy ministries, is authorized to prepare, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the new Strategy for Gender Equality 2024-2026. The goal of the strategy is to integrate the gender dimension into the policies and actions of all ministries and deputy ministries. To achieve better coordination, gender equality officers have been appointed in each ministry and deputy ministry. They are professionals who share our vision and want to be part of this effort, so that together we can accelerate the promotion of gender equality. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the officers, collaborators, and colleagues for our excellent cooperation and for sharing our vision. With the above, dear friends, we are laying the institutional foundations to move forward with coordinated actions within the scope of our Office.
Allow me to refer to some specific policies and actions that have already been implemented by the Office in the last seven months:
– Zero VAT rate on women’s hygiene products. This is a significant development as these products are essential, not luxury items.
– Our efforts, in collaboration with the Minister of Transport, Mr. Vafeiadis, the President of the Licensing Authority, Mrs. Amerikanou, and the unions SEK, PEO, and DEOK, to address the issues faced by female bus drivers. As a result of our consultations, 40 women have expressed interest in returning to the profession.
– New collaborations with the Cyprus Basketball Federation through the signing of a memorandum of understanding that covers, among other things, training for coaches on gender equality in sports.
– Actions that have begun in collaboration with KEVE for promoting gender equality in the workplace and closing the gender pay gap.
– The re-establishment of the Gender Mainstreaming Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Ambassador for Equality, Ms. Koula Sofianou.
I would also like to mention the appointments made by the President of the Republic, which demonstrate the importance placed on gender equality. The representation of women stands at 46.1% in the first appointments of the Government, while in the Council of Ministers (Ministers/Deputy Ministers), the percentage reaches 41.17% for the first time.
Furthermore, after consultations with the President of the Union of Municipalities, 29 municipalities have appointed gender equality officers, which I note with great satisfaction, as it strengthens the cooperation of our Office with local government. With our support, they are progressing with an annual action plan for gender equality, featuring a small number of actions that are, however, substantial. For example, the creation of a breastfeeding room equipped with a refrigerator for storing breast milk at municipal offices, adequate lighting in municipal parking lots and parks owned by communities to enhance the sense of security, especially during the evening hours, the establishment of parking spaces in municipal theaters for families with infants and strollers, as well as facilities for baby care (diaper changing) in men’s restrooms.
Beyond the above, we have initiated the creation of an electronic library on gender equality issues and the history of the women’s movement in Cyprus. For years, I have observed that our history has been shaped through the eyes of men. This is obviously due to the historical positions held by women and men in our society and the fact that access to public spaces was mainly enjoyed by men. Many studies and research have been conducted, we have testimonies of women, and we know about the women’s movement through narratives, which, although documented, have remained in “invisibility.” With the electronic library, the goal is to have the material gathered in one platform that is easily accessible to interested individuals. Through this effort, we will also support the Minister of Education, Youth, and Sports, Ms. Michailidou, in her new project to modernize history books so that our children are aware of the enduring contribution of Cypriot women.
All of the above contribute to making equality the norm. I have no illusions that in the coming years we will eliminate the inequalities, which, I want to emphasize, have almost entirely disappeared legally. However, we can accelerate the promotion of gender equality and the consolidation of a culture of equality through holistic, cross-cutting actions that are practical and aimed at substantially improving the lives of our citizens and our society.
As most of you may know, I have been an active member and part of civil society for many years. With most of you present here today, I have collaborated, participated in protests, engaged in intense discussions with government officials of various administrations, and actively contributed to the promotion of equality in our country, in the European Union, and at the international level. I understand the importance of participation and democratic processes. Recognizing this importance, I am well aware of what it means to give space and a voice to groups in society when decisions that concern them are being made, as is the case with the Gender Equality Strategy.
With this as my basic principle and based on the ministerial decision authorizing our Office to prepare the new strategy in collaboration with ministries/deputy ministries, within the framework of the international and European obligations of the Republic of Cyprus, it is important to take into account the ideas and suggestions of all of you. Together with the gender equality officers, we have already prepared the framework and guiding principles, and today we are discussing with you, recording your views and suggestions, along with actions and measures that you believe can be implemented to shape the new strategy. Always within the framework of fiscal discipline, our goal is to create a workable strategy over a three-year period, which can be revised and which will include a few but targeted actionable items. The aim is to have a positive impact on the lives of all by empowering women. This strategy will be a document resulting from the collaboration of the state with you, the broader civil society.
Allow me also to address some of your concerns regarding the content of the strategy, such as the absence of a working group for violence against women, women, peace, and security, or working groups for women with specific vulnerabilities. As you already know, there are relevant action plans for violence against women and domestic violence, as well as the coordinating body under the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, and the action plan for the implementation of Resolution 1325, which is coordinated by our office and has a separate budget for related actions. To avoid repetition, such actions will not be included in the new strategy. As for immigrant women, women with disabilities, we consciously did not include them as groups of vulnerable women, as we want actions related to these specific groups of women to be integrated horizontally across all pillars (transportation, employment, social policy, foreign policy, etc.). For this reason, representatives/experts for the above are among us. If, of course, during our discussions in the working groups, you believe that a separate pillar should be created, we are ready to discuss, record, and make a relevant decision.
AI will not tire of reiterating that accelerating the promotion of gender equality is imperative. Our goal is to integrate the gender dimension into all ministries and sub-ministries in practice. To make gender equality a norm. By translating words into actions, a new effort is being made, applying a participatory and inclusive approach to the preparation of the new National Strategy for Gender Equality.
We have the opportunity, dear friends, but also the responsibility, to accelerate efforts to promote gender equality.
A great song written by a disabled teenage girl, about her teenage love!
With the recent opening of schools, it is the best time to remind children, especially young teenagers, that among them there are also children with disabilities who, however, have the same rights as them and must be respected like everyone else. We must remind them that even these children’s souls can flutter in their first love. Let’s give them a chance to fly high. Love is everywhere…
“My love…” Love, a word on which the foundations of our world rest, a word that is the key to the harmonious coexistence of people in today’s society. A wonderful song with lyrics taken from the soul of a teenage girl, Efi Charalambous, set to music by Stelios Michaelidis, and orchestrated by Giorgos Synnos.
Veronica Jotovic, an autistic girl with an angelic voice, sings, which was also Effie’s personal choice to combine with the dynamic voice of Katy Spiller.
The video clip is produced by the renowned photographer and videographer Andreas Tsiartas.
So this song is about love and the teenage love of a girl for a boy. It talks about the “butterflies” in the stomach that every person feels when they fall in love… What can’t be expressed in words, can well be said through the lyrics of a song. Music as a universal language can enchant the ears of a blind man by creating images in his mind, pass through the body of a deaf man as a vibration making him dance to the beat, and become words in the mind of a child who has difficulty speaking, touch the soul of a child with cerebral palsy, remind us what it means to truly love. Can a disabled girl or boy fall in love and fall in love with them? Of course, they can! All people, even those who look or act a little “different” from the rest, have the right to love and be loved.
But the word love is not limited only to romantic love, since love can also be felt by a parent/guardian or therapist for their child and this is reflected in the shine of their eyes, facial expressions, body movements, a caress, a smile, a hug. Love can exist between two very good friends who do not label each other but love truly and selflessly.
Behind the creation of the whole effort is a large group of people (with Stelios Michaelidis as the main initiator and the valuable collaboration of Katy Spiller), who fight every day to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and promote respect for their rights. There are sensitized people who still believe in LOVE. This whole idea came to life thanks to the valuable support of Andrey & Julia Dashin’s Foundation, as well as a host of other sponsors and supporters.
Through the video clip of the song, the contributors want to convey the message that love does not put labels, does not distinguish people, and is an inalienable right of everyone. So it doesn’t matter if some children differ in any way from other children. This does not deprive them of the right to dream, love, fall in love, and grow up to live a normal life always enjoying equal rights and opportunities.
Today, the proposal of the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth Affairs (MEY), for the exemption of European Disability Card holders from tuition fees in educational programs of the Ministry, was approved by the Cabinet.
Specifically, based on the Decision, holders of the European Disability Card are exempted from paying tuition fees in the programs of the State Institutes of Further Education, Training Centers, and Lifelong Vocational Education and Training Programs.
This Decision is the result of the collaboration between the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth (MESY) and the Ministry of Social Welfare and falls within the framework of the Ministry’s efforts for the social inclusion of people with disabilities and to facilitate their access to education.
Source: παιδεία news
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