Filenews 2 September 2025 - by Michalis Hatzivasilis
Two criminal cases were investigated this year by the Police concerning sexist comments, and indeed online, with the relevant files being before the Attorney General.
A relevant reference was made by the Minister of Justice and the Commissioner for Gender Equality, while a study on the incidents of sexism and gender-based violence in Cyprus is being promoted. As announced yesterday during a press conference by Minister Marios Hartsiotis, on the occasion of the launch of the campaign against sexism, the Police and the Commissioner's office appointed a Committee that will keep a register in which sexism incidents will be recorded and their management will be described.
It is noted that one case of sexism concerns a well-known former footballer and the other a well-known tiktoker. The investigations have been completed and a decision is awaited.
The objectives of the campaign, according to the minister, revolve around informing the public about the problem of sexism, including online sexism, as a form of gender-based violence against women and girls, at the same time as informing civil society about the existence and provisions of the "Combating Sexism and Online Sexism and Related Issues, Law of 2020".
According to him, the results of the recent research by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights in cooperation with the European Institute for Gender Equality, also confirm the link between sexism and gender-based violence. Around one in three women in Europe appear to have experienced physical or sexual violence or threat in their adult lives, and it appears that women exposed to sexist comments or acts are more likely to experience forms of gender-based abuse. Despite the fact that many women who have been subjected to violence seem to have spoken to someone close to them about the issue, only one in five has contacted a health care or social service provider and only one in eight has filed a complaint with the police.
It is noted that the campaign, organized with the contribution of the advertising company CONTACT, has as its slogan "Sexism has no place in our society". Through it, one of the actions of the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2024-2026, namely the information of civil society with the aim of developing a culture of gender equality, the deconstruction of gender stereotypes and the elimination of prejudices found in the social fabric and in Cypriot society, becomes a reality.
Sexism is flourishing on social media
Meanwhile, in recent years, sexism – particularly on social media – has been on the rise in particular, especially through anonymous accounts, as well as the invocation of "freedom of expression", since they are often used as a curtain for sexist and offensive behaviours, especially towards women and girls, was made by Gender Equality Commissioner Jozi Christodoulou. In her own greeting, Mrs. Christodoulou said that sexism insults, humiliates and devalues. As a result, women are the most frequent victims of sexist attacks. But men, especially those who don't follow traditional "masculinity" standards, can also be confronted with sexist behaviours. Our message is clear: No woman and no man should be the target of gender-based violence, the Commissioner stressed.
Since assuming this responsibility, he adds, we have the first two complaints. One concerns a person for alleged offences of sexist rhetoric, as well as one for sexism and incitement to violence against women. According to Mrs. Christodoulou, in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in the first 6 months of 2026, cyber violence against girls aged 13-18 has been set as a priority by the Ministry of Justice and Public Order.
A series of actions will be undertaken aimed at codifying best practices and developing further policies and possibly strengthening legislative tools, at European level, to combat the phenomenon. The first action, which concerns the collection of pan-European statistics and data on the subject, also includes Cyprus. This is a study that is already being carried out by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) for the purposes of the Cyprus Presidency.
