On the same day the European Commission launched the new EU-wide campaign to end violence against women. This campaign, supported by European Commissioner for Justice Vera Jourová, is part of the Commissions' efforts to combat gender-based violence. The aim is to raise awareness on the issue of violence against women in all of its forms (domestic violence, violence in public spaces, at work) in the EU. Violence against women does not only affect women's health and well-being, but it can hamper women's access to employment, thereby negatively affecting their financial independence and the economy in general. One in three women in the EU has experienced physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15; 75 % of women in a professional job or in top management have experienced sexual harassment. One in ten women has experienced sexual harassment or stalking through new technologies. Gender-based violence is a brutal form of discrimination and a violation of the victim’s fundamental rights. It is both a cause and a consequence of inequalities between women and men. 

Short Video Competition for Traffic Safety

The European Commission launched a short video competition targeting youth aged 18-30 to highlight the  importance of traffic safety and to raise awareness amongst youth about preventative measures. The traffic safety video competition is organised in collaboration with Traffic Accidents Prevention Association, Traffic Department and TRAKAYAD. The launch of the competition took place on 11 November at the EU Infopoint in Nicosia. After the opening speeches by Mr.George Markopouliotis and Ms.Nazmiye Çelebi, the jury members and representatives of partner organizations and experts from the field of video/film production Assist. Prof. Hüseyin Sevay, Assist. Prof. Yetin Arslan, Dr. Mehmet Avcı, Mehmet Ekin Vaiz, and Yeliz Shukri made speeches about the importance of traffic safety and they encouraged young people to take part in the competition. 

The aim of the competition is to raise awareness on the importance of traffic safety and on the main causes of traffic crashes and how to prevent them by encouraging young people to reflect on traffic safety and to think about preventative measures and messages. Some reflection questions could include “What will I do to help save lives in traffic?” or “What will I do to help save lives and prevent serious injury in traffic?” “What can others do?” or “What needs to be done?” The format of the videos can be, but are not limited to, animation, selfie, documentary, public service announcement or fiction. The duration will be maximum 2 minutes.
The launch event aimed to inform potential participants, and encourage them to participate in the competition. A video workshop for individuals who would like to improve their video production skills and better understand the theme of traffic safety was organised on Thursday, 8 December at the EU Infopoint. For more information about the competition and to participate, you may contact the EU Infopoint. 

Safety and Health Trainings at Vocational Schools

The European Commission, as part of the European Week for Safety and Health at Work, supports a series of safety and health trainings at all the vocational schools in the Turkish Cypriot community organised in cooperation with the Association of Health and Safety Professionals, Education Department, Employment Department, Chamber of Shopkeepers and Artisans, Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry, and Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, starting in November 2016. Participating students were presented with various topics on why health and safety is important in workplaces, EU’s policy and implementations in the EU on safety and health, safety and health rules’ implementation examples from various MS countries, showcasing why the EU is one of the safest places to work in. The trainings, which will reach up to 700 students, were targeted considering the education and skills of the students and each student will receive a certificate. 

European Day of Languages was celebrated with an information session organised for the second time by the EU Infopoint on 7 November to emphasise the importance of learning languages and how being multilingual helps improve understanding and the interaction of different cultures. The event hosted Ms.Martha Neokleous, Directorate-General for Translation Field Officer at the European Commission Representation in Cyprus. The participants interacted with each other during the Q&A session after her presentation.