Women of Cyprus unite for finding a solution

Cyprus Women Bicommunal Coalition (CWBC) hosted a gathering at the Ledra Palace that drew in over 200 women yesterday. UNFICYP and the Irish Embassy provided support for the occasion.

CWBC called on all participants and indeed all women of Cyprus to unite forces, work together and build strong alliances to be more effective and have a stronger voice and power in moving forward towards achieving the above goals. They also expressed satisfaction and gratitude to all women for their response and keen interest in becoming part of this initiative and building a stronger coalition of Cypriot women.

According to CWBC, restarting the negotiations and finalising the solution of the Cyprus problem in a phased and results oriented manner, remains of utmost importance and urgency.

AN OPPORTUNITY WHICH MUST NOT BE LOST

“The appointment of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Ms. Maria Angela Holguín Cuellar, has provided an opportunity, which must not be lost” stated in the press release.

In this respect, CWBC informed the participants of a letter addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations, by which CWBC strongly urged him to take the bold decision to extend Ms Holguin’s mandate, to allow some additional time for more intensive efforts by all actors and with the support of the international community, to achieve the desired outcome. CWBC, reiterated to the UN Secretary General its “determination to positively contribute and assist in Ms Holguin’s efforts, by mobilising the women of Cyprus for the realisation of our goals”.

The purpose of the meeting was to exchange views and make suggestions, towards realising the main goals of CWBC:
– An urgent solution to the Cyprus problem, based on the agreed UN framework and
the existing body of work.
– The full, equal and meaningful participation of women at the negotiating table at all
levels of the negotiating process.
– The need to include a gender perspective in the negotiations.
– To strengthen the role of women in peacebuilding, by promoting a culture of peace
and reconciliation.

WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION HAD BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE PEACE PROCESS

CWBC stated that the women’s organisations have made a significant contribution to the peace process, but despite this, their work has not only gone unappreciated and unrecognised, but they have also been denied full, equal, and meaningful involvement in the negotiating process through bicommunal and other efforts.

“Women can and should be at the forefront of peacemaking and peacebuilding efforts, for
reconciliation and cooperation.” said in the press release.

CYPRUS PROBLEM CONCERNS ALL OF US

“What came out of the views expressed by many participants is that the urgent solution to the Cyprus problem concerns all of us” said in the press release.

However, several women emphasised that this time around, negotiations had to be different in order to be effective. It must be redesigned in order to become less reliant on the two leaders and more inclusive, transparent, and participatory. In the negotiations, women, young people, and civil society should be given a significant voice.