The representation of women in politics and diplomacy remains limited, House Speaker Annita Demetriou has said.
She was speaking during a working breakfast with female heads of diplomatic missions based in Cyprus on 9 March, which took place in the context of the celebrations to mark International Women’s Day 2026 which fell on 8 March. The breakfast was also attended by MPs Savia Orphanidou, Fotini Tsiridou and Rita Theodorou Superman.
In this climate of war and uncertainty, it is also the duty of women to raise awareness for the full implementation of democracy in view of the Parliamentary Elections, said Demetriou, adding that “we have a long way to go.”
The House of Representatives said in a press release that “in her introductory speech, the President of the Parliament underlined that, despite the progress achieved in recent years, the representation of women in politics and diplomacy remains limited, at the same time as their contribution is crucial for building trust, preventing conflicts and establishing sustainable peace.”
“Demetriou underlined the important role of parliaments in strengthening the legislation governing the various aspects of gender equality and parliamentary diplomacy in keeping these issues high on the political agenda,” the press release noted. “She also referred to the difficulties that continue to exist in promoting necessary legislative interventions, as was seen in the case of the criminalization of femicide as a specific crime, but also in the issue of the implementation of quotas,” it added.
The House President pointed out that prejudices and stereotypes, as well as the toxicity that is widespread on social media, continue to be obstacles to the participation of more women in political life. She stressed that existing patriarchal perceptions must be addressed decisively, while behaviour on social media needs to be regulated, with respect for the right to free expression.
Finally, Demetriou stressed the need to do more, both at the level of institutional changes and at the level of social consciousness, to achieve full equality and participation of women in public and political life.
The press release noted that “a discussion followed, during which it was emphasized that women's rights are fundamental human rights."
"A participating Ambassador referred to the essential role played by Cyprus, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council and to the importance that our country has always attached to issues concerning women, and in this context, the importance of multilateral cooperation for the promotion of women's rights was underlined", it added.
During the discussion, it was pointed out that, in many regions of the world, including Iran, women are deprived of basic human rights, while special reference was made to women in conflict zones. In this regard, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 was noted, and it was emphasised that the meaningful participation of women in peace and security processes is not only an issue of equality, but an essential prerequisite for more effective and durable solutions. Emphasis was also placed on the need to effectively address violence against women.
“The discussion highlighted the need to reconcile the multiple roles played by women, so that they can participate meaningfully in politics and diplomacy, as well as the crucial role of education in changing culture and promoting gender equality. The participants also exchanged views on the usefulness of quotas as a temporary measure to strengthen women’s representation,” the press release said.
They also exchanged views on the contribution of women in positions of responsibility to promoting initiatives and policies that enhance safety and respect in the digital public space. “Specifically, legislation adopted in a number of countries to tighten control of social media was discussed, including the prohibition of their use by minors under 16 years of age, as well as the efforts being made to address hate speech and online harassment, phenomena that particularly affect women participating in public life,” the press release noted.
It was also noted that the experience of recent years demonstrates the importance of cooperation, collective action and the active presence of women in decision-making centers, as a necessary condition for achieving substantial progress in promoting gender equality and in shaping a more just and inclusive society.
(Source: CNA)
