Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos and Commissioner for Gender Equality Josie Christodoulou discussed Friday 'Women in Diplomacy' with university students in an event organized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of International Day of Women in Diplomacy to be celebrated June 24.
In the context of the event, two women, one former and one active diplomat, Honorary Ambassador Rea Giordamli and Minister Plenipotentiary Koula Sofianou, presented their personal experiences as female diplomats and discussed with the students various aspects related to the gender dimension and the participation of women in diplomacy, at the presence of University professors, the Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Kyriakos Kouros and other diplomats.
In his address, the Foreign Minister expressed his belief that diplomatic activity of women contributes the most to the promotion of peace, dialogue and development, indicating at the same time that many steps have been achieved in Cyprus regarding participation of women in diplomacy. He reiterated at the same time that for the Cypriot MFA the promotion of regional and international cooperation in this important field, is a priority.
Foreign Minister noted that out of 166 Cypriot diplomats, only 55 are women, indicating though that "it's not a matter of numbers, but mostly of mentality."
A mentality that will lead, as he added, to steady and methodical steps, with the key being the attraction of more women to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Commissioner for Gender Equality, Josie Christodoulou, explained that policies and actions to be implemented must respond to different needs of women and men in the Diplomatic Service, in order to give them the space and voice to have even more impact on the foreign policy of the Republic of Cyprus, indicating that this is precisely the new role of her portfolio.
"We are moving forward, always in collaboration with all the Ministries and Deputy Ministries, to integrate actions and policies horizontally throughout the state, so that the state covers and includes the other 50% of its population' she said.
Both Honorary Ambassador Rea Giordamli and Minister Plenipotentiary Koula Sofianou shared with the participants their personal experiences and the various challenges they faced as women throughout their career in Diplomacy since joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later when assuming important posts as Heads of Missions. A common input of their presentations is that women can, with hard work and self-confidence succeed and contribute constructively to the promotion of the national interests of Cyprus.
Source: Cyprus News Agency