70th Session of the Commission of the Status of Women – United Nations Headquarters, New York – 9-19 March, 2026
National Statement by H.E. Ms. Josie Christodoulou, Commissioner for Gender Equality of Cyprus
11 March, 2026
Honorable Chair,
It is an honour to address the 70th Session of the Commission of the Status of Women.
Cyprus aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union.
This year’s priority theme is fundamental: Justice is the foundation that enables women and girls to fully exercise their rights.
As Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we are advancing gender equality as a cross cutting political priority. Our Presidency places particular emphasis on Preventing and Combatting Cyber Violence Against Girls, a rapidly evolving global threat that undermines girls’ safety, agency, dignity and participation. Digital violence is not virtual; its consequences are real and enduring.
Our goal is clear: digital spaces must become safe and empowering environments where girls can fully develop their potential. Within our Presidency, we are holding a series of significant initiatives that will substantially advance our common agenda at European and international levels.
At national level, Cyprus is implementing structural reforms to embed justice and equality across governance.
Our National Strategy promotes gender-responsive budgeting, stronger institutions, targeted action, and close cooperation with civil society to expand opportunities for women and girls.
Our National Strategy and Action Plan on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women establishes a coordinated multi‑agency framework aligned with the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence. Key milestones include the creation of a Unified National Database on VAW, specialized professional training, improved protocols on sexual violence, and strengthened victim‑support tools.
Cyprus is also advancing Gender Mainstreaming Bill to institutionalize gender perspective across public administration, embedding it in every stage of policy design, implementation, evaluation, and budgeting processes ensuring sustainability and accountability. Such reform will be of the most significant governance reforms in Cyprus history of equality agenda.
Excellencies,
In our region, the Women Peace and Security Agenda is indispensable. Without a gender perspective, humanitarian and recovery efforts are less effective and sustainable. In today’s fragmented context, CSW remains a vital platform where gender equality serves as a bridge for cooperation.
As a humanitarian hub in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus links the EU with the wider region mainstreaming gender in crisis and humanitarian response. Justice, peace, security, and gender equality are interdependent pillars of resilient societies.
Sustainable peace depends on justice and gender equality as core security priorities. Cyprus stands ready to work with all partners in this collective effort.
Through our EU Presidency, our international commitments, as members of the UN Human Rights Council and national reforms, Cyprus reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action, CEDAW, the 2030 and WPS Agenda to accelerate substantive progress towards gender equality.
Thank you.