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President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou said on Monday that women remain underrepresented in politics and diplomacy, despite gradual progress in recent years.
Demetriou made the remarks during a working breakfast with female ambassadors serving in Cyprus. The meeting was organised as part of events marking International Women’s Day 2026 and was attended by MPs Savia Orphanidou, Fotini Tsiridou and Rita Theodorou-Superman.
Addressing participants, Demetriou stressed that women’s involvement in political and diplomatic roles is still limited, even though their participation plays a key role in fostering trust, preventing conflicts and supporting lasting peace. She added that significant progress is still needed, particularly as Cyprus prepares for upcoming parliamentary elections.
According to a statement from the House of Representatives, Demetriou also highlighted the responsibility of parliaments to strengthen legal frameworks promoting gender equality and to keep these issues at the centre of political debate through parliamentary diplomacy.
She pointed to ongoing challenges in advancing legislation, citing debates over recognising femicide as a distinct criminal offence and discussions about introducing quotas to increase women’s representation.
Demetriou also warned that social barriers continue to discourage women from entering public life. Persistent stereotypes, entrenched patriarchal attitudes and hostility on social media were identified as major obstacles. While calling for stronger regulation of harmful online behaviour, she emphasised that any measures should still safeguard freedom of expression.
The House President concluded that achieving genuine equality requires further reforms at both institutional and societal levels to ensure women can fully participate in public and political decision-making.
During the discussion that followed, participants reiterated that women’s rights are fundamental human rights. One ambassador highlighted Cyprus’ role on the UN Human Rights Council and its longstanding support for initiatives advancing women’s rights, stressing the value of international cooperation in this field.
Participants also noted that women in several parts of the world, including Iran and other conflict-affected regions, continue to face serious violations of basic rights. Reference was made to UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognises women’s participation as essential to peace and security efforts.
The meeting also addressed violence against women, the challenges women face in balancing professional and personal responsibilities, and the importance of education in promoting cultural change and gender equality. Attendees discussed quotas as a possible temporary measure to increase female representation in political and diplomatic roles.
Another topic raised was the digital environment and the need to improve safety online. Participants exchanged views on initiatives adopted in various countries to combat hate speech and harassment on social media—issues that disproportionately affect women active in public life. Measures under discussion internationally include stricter platform regulation and proposals to restrict social media access for minors under 16.
Overall, the discussion emphasised that stronger cooperation, collective action and greater female representation in decision-making positions are crucial to advancing gender equality and building a more inclusive society.
