Despite Cyprus adopting international conventions and strengthening domestic law—including the criminalisation of all forms of violence against women—the legal framework still shows enforcement gaps, the Parliament says in a statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
It notes that incidents of violence remain high. This highlights the need to further reinforce prevention mechanisms and victim-support structures.
The statement refers to a recent discussion in the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Gender Equality, which highlighted the need for better coordination among all competent bodies, along with stronger victim-support mechanisms.
The Parliament stresses the importance of further empowering the Cyprus Police’s specialised units, ensuring continuous training and adequate staffing with qualified personnel, and improving cooperation with the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare and the Social Welfare Services.
The Committee also stressed the need for immediate-assistance mechanisms and a stronger presence of competent services in rural areas. This will ensure timely, comprehensive, and accessible support for victims in every community, so no woman remains exposed to danger.
The Parliament underlines that gender-based violence is not a private matter. It is a deeply social problem affecting society as a whole and demands coordinated, collective, and ongoing action from all institutions, the state, and citizens.
It also assures that the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Gender Equality will continue its work to strengthen the protective institutional framework against all forms of violence.
Also read: Lottides data: 76% of domestic violence victims are women (2023-24)
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