On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the European Commission reflected on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and women’s rights during a webinar entitled “Women and the Pandemic” on Monday, 8 March via Zoom.  

The COVID-19 crisis deepens the existing inequalities between genders and there is a need for an equal and inclusive recovery. Recovery from the COVID-19 public health crisis will shape the future of the EU and local policies. Therefore, it is important that gender equality remains a priority and a gender perspective is integrated into decision-making about the measures taken in response to the pandemic and the initiatives undertaken as part of economic and social recovery. This event provided a platform for an exchange of experiences and good practices in advancing women's empowerment during crises such as COVID-19. The event also benefited from the valuable presentations and contributions of Ombudsperson Emine Dizdarlı, lawmaker İzlem Gürçağ Altuğra, head of the Cyprus Turkish Bar Association Human Rights Committee Aslı Murat, Nicosia women’s shelter project coordinator Dr. Ömür Yılmaz, activist, lawyer, and member of the Association of Women to Support Living (KAYAD) Mine Atlı with the moderation of academic and activist Prof. Dr. Fatma Güven Lisaniler.

The aim of the event was to raise awareness regarding gender equality, to offer remedies and actions dealing with inequalities, and sharing information on what is being done to address this within the Turkish Cypriot community with the support of the European Union. The event highlighted the difficulties women from all walks of life are facing during the pandemic; reflected on the work and the improvements on development of various legal texts on women’s rights; and highlighted the importance of support mechanisms by raising awareness about local implementations and opportunities.

As part of the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, the EC has been supporting a series of activities and actions to strengthen the organisational capacities, outreach and impact in promoting and defending fundamental rights and women’s rights in particular. The EU is currently funding two grant projects with a total budget of 1 million Euro to address issues relating to violence against women.  The “Together We Are Stronger” project implemented by KAYAD aims to address domestic violence against women and children while increasing the capacity of organisations and institutions that work on the issues of gender equality and domestic violence. The “United Against Violence” project, implemented by LTB, aims to establish a new women’s shelter and to improve protection and support services for survivors of domestic violence.