LABOUR: Cyprus has a long way to go in gender equality

Gender equality in Cyprus still faces many obstacles: domestic violence and trafficking in women, gender-based stereotypes as to the role of women in their family, and low level of representation at the decision-making levels (both in the private and the public sectors).

The Gender Inequality Index gives Cyprus 0.134, placing it 22nd out of 186 ranked countries. The 2012 Gender Gap Index places Cyprus at the 79th position out of 135 countries, with a score of 0.673.
Cyprus does not have a long tradition of gender equality. However the entry of Cyprus in the European Union stimulated a better protection of gender equality and empowerment of women. Many laws and diverse acts were adopted in response to the European framework in relation to gender.
In addition, since 1979, all National Development Plans have declared, as part of their objectives, the improvement of women in economic activities and the combat against discrimination. So far, Cyprus has largely achieved parity in education.
The labour market is characterised by high rates of employment and participation in the labour market. Nevertheless, there are significant gender gaps in the labour market participation and gender-based stereotypes are still persistent as to the type of jobs exercised by women, while the wage pay gender gap is over 23%. Despite a good level of women’s participation to the economy and the work force, women are traditionally concentrated in the lower paid sectors, such as health, education and domestic work and are rarely at decision-making level positions.
The level of representation of women at the highest level of decision in the public sector is still also poor.