President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, assured on Wednesday evening that the government is working intensively towards the goal of promoting gender equality, indicating that an important pillar for that is the National Action Plan for Gender Equality, which is being drafted.

The President was speaking at the Kourion Amphitheatre, on Wednesday night, addressing the opening of the 38th World Conference of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, held in Cyprus.

Women have been the backbone of our societies, both ancient and modern, the President said, noting the important role of organisations such as the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and institutions such as Girl Guiding, in creating an empowering community for girls.

He said that the government has incorporated in its programme concrete actions on promoting gender equality and is working intensively towards this goal. "As a father of four girls this is an issue that is very close to my heart. A number of measures are already being implemented, namely the expansion of facilities to help streamline family and employment responsibilities and the creation of a legal framework that effectively addresses gender discrimination and improve the position of women in economic and social life," he added.

Highlighting that women are supported and protected through legislation, which abolishes discrimination in social insurance, salaries or pensions, protects women during pregnancy and maternity and ensures a safe environment for them by protecting them against sexual harassment, he added that "we are very well aware that there is so much more to achieve."

An important steppingstone in this effort, he said, is the National Action Plan for Gender Equality under preparation through a collaborative effort with the Gender Equality Commissioner and competent Ministries, where gender equality liaison officers have been identified so as to be able to promote gender equality horizontally and across all policy areas.

He noted the importance of representation of women and women being decision makers, adding that there is still a lot to be done in empowering women and girls to reach their full potential, to thrive in all fields of education, in the labour market, in research, in the arts, in academia.

"Your role and your voice in this empowerment are very important," President Christodoulides said addressing the delegates, adding that the voice of nine million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from 152 countries "is loud and clear", and "we hear you very well".