Cyprus ranked 21st on the gender equality index among European Union member countries, despite improvements in certain domains.
The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) published the Gender Equality Index on Thursday, giving an annual update on the state of gender equality in the 27 EU member states and the UK.
“The coronavirus pandemic poses a serious threat to gender equality progress, which we cannot afford. More than ever, policymakers will need to use the results of our Index to design inclusive solutions that promote gender equality in our society, both during and after the pandemic,” said Carlien Scheele, EIGE’s director.
Cyprus scored 56.9 out of 100, 11 points lower than the EU 27 average.
Since 2010, Cyprus has improved its position by six places (7.9 points), EIGE said.
The worst area for Cyprus, which also experienced the most improvement, is power with 29.8 in contrast with the EU average of 53.5.
The island has a 13.2 per cent share of female ministers, 18 per cent share of female members of parliament and just 15.3 per cent share of female members of regional assemblies.
The second domain that experienced the most improvement is the one measuring gender inequalities in time spent on care of family members and domestic work.
Ranked 51.3 out of a 100 in the second domain, the report showed 80.8 per cent of women cook or do housework every day, compared to 26.6 per cent of men. The EU average on time spent in such activities was 65.7.
The island ranked 56.2 in the domain measuring gender inequalities in educational attainment, while EU average was 63.6.
Men ranked higher than women in the domain of money, which measures the access to financial resources and economic situation. The island edged down one point to 81.7 per cent in this domain.
Health was the only domain in which Cyprus matched the EU average at 88 per cent. Both genders ranked similar in the subcategories of access to health services.
To the extent to which women and men can benefit from equal access to employment and good working conditions Cyprus ranked 70.8 per cent, slightly lower than the EU average of 72.2 per cent.
“Gender equality must be sought in all areas of life for all Europeans – regardless of their gender – to reach their full potential,” said Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality.
There was no new data on violence this year and EIGE said will launch a second round of administrative data collection on intimate partner violence, rape and femicide in 2022.
