Initiative

Initiatives in all four priorities.

Summary of the initiative

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is a private corporate body functioning under special legislation and is financially independent, free of any influence by the state. It was founded in 1927. A series of seminars/workshops were organised in all towns of Cyprus on the topic of “Break gender stereotypes – Give talent a chance” where the issues of gender mainstreaming and gender equality at the workplace were addressed.

A Toolkit entitled “Breaking gender stereotypes - Building good business: Tips and tools for smart Managers" was produced within the framework of the EU/ILO project: “Break gender stereotypes – give talent a chance” in which the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry was one of the partners. The Toolkit was widely disseminated among the Chamber’s member enterprises and more generally the Cypriot business community.

The CCCI organised in cooperation with BPW Cyprus (Business and Professional Women) a Conference on Abolishing Gender Stereotypes that was addressed to the business community of Cyprus as well as a Conference on Women’s Empowerment Towards Equality.

The CCCI cooperates closely with BPW Cyprus on all issues concerning female entrepreneurship, gender equality and the promotion of women in decision-making. The CCCI, in cooperation with BPW Cyprus has participated in the EU consultation “Gender imbalance in corporate boards” and has actively campaigned among its member enterprises in relation to the targets set by the Women on the Board Pledge for Europe. The CCCI has also organised in cooperation with BPW Cyprus and the Federation of Employers a Conference entitled: “Women and Youth Entrepreneurship: the road to development”

The CCCI has organised a series of training programmes on labour issues where both the issues of equal pay and supporting work-life balance were covered. Besides, the CCCI has actively promoted amongst its members the Aid Scheme for the Promotion of Flexible Forms of Employment that is implemented by the Cyprus Productivity Centre.

Finally, the CCCI has conducted in cooperation with BPW Cyprus a survey on gender equality and equal pay at the workplace and the results were presented in a conference jointly organised by the two organisations.