Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou, Equality Commissioner said today that her Office, along with Ministries and Deputy Ministries, proceeds to plan actions to support women's entrepreneurship. The Commissioner was speaking at a training on Women’s Entrepreneurship and Contribution to the Economy in the MENA region, where she noted that specific actions will be included in the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2024-2026.

She underlined the significant contribution of women in the workplace and their support in economy and spoke of the barriers women entrepreneurs encounter, which are more than the ones men do, as she said.

The Commissioner noted that Cyprus lacks statistics with regards to the ownership of business by both women and men, but she spoke of Cyprus’ ranking in the 22nd place among 27 members states of the EU with regards to gender equality. She added that unequal pay in Cyprus is currently at 9.9%.

In this direction, she continued, "our Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, the Commissioner for the Environment and the Cyprus Youth Organization will design tailored made programmes, after we go on location, meet and talk to the women working in rural areas.” Additionally, she said that the presence of women should be enhanced in STEAM professions, as well.

Christodoulou also pointed out that, highlighting the role of women working in rural areas with regards to their invaluable input in shaping Cyprus’ culture and tradition, has become a priority, in collaboration with the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and the Deputy Ministry of Culture.