A new report from the European Union has shown that Cyprus has the worst level of gender equality among all EU countries. At the same time, a case about a public sector employee has raised serious questions about disability rights. These two situations together have started a fresh discussion about fairness and whether protective laws are working in practice.
The European Institute for Gender Equality’s latest index, which measures equality in areas like work, power, and time, ranked Cyprus last. Its score was 47.6 out of 100. The biggest problem was in the area of personal time, where a gap of over 54% shows that women do much more unpaid housework and caregiving than men. This is surprising because, in Cyprus, more women work and more young women finish university than in any other EU country.
Gender Equality Commissioner Josie Christodoulou commented on the results. She said the goal is not a competition between genders, but equal representation without stereotypes. Experts explain that traditional social expectations mean women have much less free time. Also, the job market is very divided, so women’s high education does not always lead to powerful or well-paid positions.
In a related issue, the Ombudswoman, Maria Stylianou Lottides, is investigating a disability discrimination case. A man with a mobility disability, working for a local government in Limassol, says he was not given a promotion that two colleagues received. His lawyers argue this was because of his disability.
The Ombudswoman’s office has officially asked the public organisation to explain its decision, referring to Cypriot law and UN disability rights rules. She stressed the employer’s duty to make reasonable changes for employees with disabilities. The organisation must reply by mid-December, while unions and activist groups monitor the situation.
These parallel events show the complex situation in Cyprus. The gender index, though slowly improving, reveals deep cultural and structural barriers. The disability case tests if laws are truly followed in public institutions. Together, they mark an important moment for Cyprus, pushing for real action to turn legal promises into reality for women and people with disabilities. The results will be a key sign of the country’s commitment to a fairer society.