ISO: CYP *************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. ALECOS EVANGELOU MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND PUBLIC ORDER OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS RESPONSIBLE FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS UNITED NATIONS FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCEON WOMEN ACTION FOR EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE BEIJING 4-15 SEPTEMBER 1995 THURSDAY 7 September 1995 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Madame Chairperson, May I first congratulate you on your unanimous election to the Chair of this important Conference. I am certain that under your able Chairmanship this historic gathering will further the cause of Women's Rights. I also wish to express my appreciation to the Government of the People's Republic of China for hosting the Conference and for the hospitality extended to us. This World Conference signifies the mounting global collaboration to achieve our objective of gender equality. It also represents a major international event, as it coincides with the Fiftieth Anniversary celebrations of the United Nations. Both events provide the opportunity for a critical assessment of the past, but, more importantly, they provide the opportunity to consider what remains to be done in implementation and how we can meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world at the doorstep of the twenty first century, During these fifty years, the United Nations has been instrumental in the promotion of equality and the advancement of women's human rights, Thus, the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was a landmark in the long struggle to eliminate gender discrimination. Furthermore, the unprecedented changes with regard to women's rights could not have been possible without the concerted efforts of the international community, intended to mobilize society and to speed up the process. However, the targets that have already been set in previous Conferences are still far from being met. The existing gap between the strategies we adopt at the Conference table and their implementation at the policy level, remains a striking reality. The present Conference provides the opportunity to put words into action and to accelerate the achievement of our triple objectives: Equality, Development and Peace. As we prepare to enter a new millennium, this is the right time to put our declared principles into action, so that a better world may dawn for future generations. Madame Chairperson, Despite the end of the cold wart the international events, with their emphasis on war and conflict in several regions, form a dark backdrop to our deliberations. We are all too familiar with the scenes of hundreds of thousands of refugees, in their majority women and children, who are forced to flee from their ancestral lands. Deprived of their dignity, of all their possessions and, in most cases of their loved ones, they represent the tragic victims of violence inflicted upon them insituations of armed conflict, foreign occupation, aggression and ethnic cleansing. In such situations women, being among the most vulnerable groups, suffer grave violations of their human rights. Cyprus, having been itself a victim of such abhorrent practices against its civilian population, particularly against women and children, as a result of the 1974 invasion, the continuing military occupation of 37% of its territory and the forcible uprooting of 1/3 of its population, is particularly sensitive on the issue of peace. During the last twenty years, a growing political and social awareness has been witnessed by Cypriot women, which was demonstrated by their dynamic struggles not only for equality and partnership, but also to protest against the illegal occupation of their country and to promote a peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem. Although the invasion, with its detrimental effects on the economy, delayed progress, the determination of Cypriot women for fundamental changes in society and the need to fully utilize the skills and talents of the entire population in the efforts for reconstruction and development, was the driving force behind the radical moves towards equality that were brought about. Cyprus has followed a similar path on women's issues as the other European countries. The ratification by Cyprus of the CEXAW Convention in 1985, had a tremendous impact on further progress, as it has provided the general framework of government policy in approaching women's issues. Changes in family law have incorporated fully the principle of equality, making women and men equal partners as spouses and parents. Also in terms of labor relations, Cyprus has successfully introduced the Laws on Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value and the Protection of Maternity and has strengthened the necessary infrastructure as a contribution and support towards working parents. The establishment of a National Machinery on Women's Rights as well as the enactment of legislation on Violence in the Family and the recent granting of pensions to housewives are also indicative of the progress achieved. Yet, as is the case in most countries, an area in which we still lag behind is the participation of women in public life and the sharing of power and decision-making at all levels. Although there are no de jure barriers preventing women from such participation, the strongly embedded traditional position of women affects their participation in the political and public life, thus hindering the realization of a fuller and more mature democracy. What this Conference has to reaffirm is that legislative changes are not enough r if they are not coupled with the necessary measures for their effective implementation. If progress is to be lasting, Commitments and Actions are required to truly implement the law. Madame Chairperson, As far as Cyprus is concerned we reaffirm our commitment to pursue such policies and programmes which are necessary to ensure that women fully enjoy their human rights and are equal partners in shaping the economic, political, social and cultural development of their country. To that end we are committed: 1 To reinforce the National Machinery for Women's Rights both in terms of budgeting, human resources and status within the Government, so as to enable it to effectively fulfill its task. 2 To study the possibility of creating an Equal Opportunities Commission which will take on board cases of discrimination against women. 3. To encourage and promote the full and active participation of women at all levels of the political and decision-making processes . 4. To cooperate closely with the European Union on Women's issues, as part of the process of Cyprus accession to the Union and to continue our cooperation with the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth andother International Organizations. Madame Chairperson, Cyprus shares the worldwide anxiety to accelerate equality between women and men. It is our common responsibility to ensure, through the implementation of the Platform for Action, the full and equal contribution of women in the cause of Peace, Development and Human Rights. Fully recognizing that women's rights are an integral part of human rights, let our Actions speak louder than Words so as to move forward in the realization of human rights and of a full and effective equality. This must be our message from Beijing, this must be our global promise and indeed our contract with the coming generations as we prepare to enter the twenty first century. Thank you Madame Chairperson.