Minister: Gender equality leads to social cohesion and economic development
1/11/2024 9:34
Gender equality is a critical priority not only for the protection of citizens' rights, but also for the strengthening of social cohesion and economic development, Minister of Labour Yiannis Panayiotou said on Thursday during a press conference that unveiled the work of the Committee for gender equality at work and vocational education on the occasion of the completion of its term.
The Minister praised the role of the Committee describing it as pivotal and multidimensional with the main mission of monitoring the implementation of legislation, providing advisory support to the Ministry and all the bodies involved, as well as promoting policies aimed at eliminating inequalities and discrimination in the workplace.
He said that the Committee highlighted through surveys, statistics and its constant presence that equality is not a simple goal, but a necessity that must be reflected in the daily life of citizens.
He thanked the members of the Committee and its chair, Louiza Christodoulidou Zanettou, saying that she led the Committee on a path of continuous development and strengthening of its role.
Zanettou in her remarks said that the struggle to achieve gender equality requires constant attentiveness, action and cooperation from everyone.
She presented to the Minister the action report from 2015 to date. She said that the Committee’s objective was to provide both the state and the public with advice that would help establish a work culture free from discrimination and this is reflected in national policy and by extension in collective contracts.
She spoke of the Committee’s vision to eliminate all racial discrimination in employment and vocational training and to generally help establish a healthy working environment.
She described as important the amendment made in 2021 to the prefect on Equal Treatment between Men and Women, which expanded the powers of the Committee and increased the penalties.
The powers were further expanded in 2022 with the law on paternity and parental care. The Commissioner also said that they organised seminars for employers and employees and completed the Code on Sexual Harassment in the public service.
She further said that because of the pandemic the situation in 2021 and 2022 was difficult adding that according to the equality index of the European Institute for Gender Equality, the pandemic had serious effects on women's rights and gender equality.
She also referred to a research that was carried out with the support of the late Minister Zeta Emilianides on the position of women in the labour market, gender inequality, but also the perceptions and inequality that reproduce and perpetuate discrimination.
In her statements she also made reference to actions her office undertook in 2022 and 2023 such as "Astrapi" programme for the prevention and management of incidents of sexual harassment in the public and semi-public sectors, training and raising awareness via campaigns and guidelines.
Zanettou also said that on a weekly basis the Committee receives around 7 telephone calls for advice on equality issues.
In 2021 they had 6 complaints, 3 for harassment and sexual harassment, 2 for gender and pregnancy discrimination and one for gender discrimination.
In 2022 there were 3 complaints, 2 for gender discrimination and one for sexual harassment and in 2023 there were 7 complaints, 3 for sexual harassment, 4 for gender discrimination and in 2024, 3 complaints, 2 for gender discrimination and one for sexual harassment. She noted, however, that based on a survey her office prepared, 6% of the citizens do not proceed with filing complaints.
The Committee also provides legal aid. In 2021 they had two cases of discrimination based on gender and pregnancy that were registered in the labor disputes court, in 2022 a case on discrimination of gender and pregnancy that was also registered case in the same court, in 2023 there were three complaints that were settled out of court or are under investigation. Most of the complaints received are resolved out of court.
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